CNY Cat Coalition seeing overload of stray cats

CICERO, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — Too many cats, but still not enough homes willing to take them in. The CNY Cat Coalition is hoping to change that but needs your help.

"In a given week, we're probably asked to take 50 to 100 cats," said Courtney Armbruster, vice president of the CNY Cat Coalition.

A high expectation the CNY Cat Coalition has a hard time meeting.

"We only have a few dozen foster homes. So, unfortunately, we're not able to help a large percentage of the cats that were asked to take," said Armbruster.

At any given time, the organization says it have can 100 or more cats in foster care homes across Central New York. On average, 20 or more cats are rescued weekly. However, many times, the CNY Cat Coalition is having to turn them away because of the lack of resources and space.

"With the high poverty rate that we unfortunately have here in Syracuse, there are a high number of cats that are outside and not being cared for the way we'd like to see," Armbruster said.

And with the colder months on the way, the CNY Cat Coalition worries about the lack of food, water and shelter for our community cats.

"If you have little kittens outside, please bring them inside. They don't do well in the cold. It's really unsafe for them. If you have adult cats that are unfriendly in your neighborhood, you can make inexpensive winter shelters for them," said Armbruster.

While the need for foster homes and forever homes are needed, so is the need to spay and neuter.

"One of the reasons we have kittens all the time and cats all over is because people don't feel that there's accessible and affordable spay neuter for them," said Armbruster.

The CNY Cat Coalition is hoping the community will step up and help the organization overcome these ongoing challenges.

If you are interested in fostering, adopting or donating, click here .