SPCAs across the province are holding a half-price sale on cats and kittens, due to  unusually large numbers of animals at its shelters.

B次元官网网址淣ormally at this time of year, the number of abandoned and surrendered kittens lessens, but the kittens just keep coming and we are really overwhelmed,B次元官网网址� said Lorie Chortyk, general manager of community relations for the B.C. SPCA.

The scene is a little different in Victoria.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e not as bad as some of the other branches,B次元官网网址� said Penny Stone, manager of the SPCA shelter on Napier Lane. B次元官网网址淰ictoria is such a great animal community.B次元官网网址�

For this reason, the Victoria branch actually imports abandoned cats from other heavier-hit SPCA branches. For instance, Victoria has almost 60 kittens right now. About half are from the Port Alberni area, where there is not the same level of community support for spay and neuter programs, Stone said.

To help find homes for the felines, the $149 adoption fee for cats ($179 for kittens) will be cut in half now through Dec. 9.

Stone said sheB次元官网网址檚 not worried the sale will induce people to buy a cat on impulse.

B次元官网网址淲e screen really well hereB次元官网网址� (and) there is such an arduous process for adopting them. You canB次元官网网址檛 just adopt if you have the money.B次元官网网址�

The discounted fees are timed in fall to help find as many homes for cats as possible before the Christmas season begins.

B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 do adoptions as gifts,B次元官网网址� Stone said, noting that Christmas isnB次元官网网址檛 a good time of year to bring a cat home.

Provincewide, there are 936 adult cats and 1,146 kittens in SPCA facilities that need homes.

rholmen@vicnews.com