POTSDAM – Potsdam Animal Shelter officials say they are overwhelmed with nearly 120 cats in need of adoption.

The Potsdam Humane Society, operators of the shelter, say they have more kittens and cats in-house than ever in their new shelter. And prices for adoption have been cut to $25.

St. Lawrence County’s abandoned and lost cat population has grown exponentially in recent weeks and the shelter has been inundated with homeless cats and kittens, according to PHS President Bonnie Boyd.

The problem is critical and really testing PHS’s commitment to be a “no kill” shelter by saving all healthy adoptable animals that make their way to the shelter’s door.

PHS Executive Director Anne Smith said, “The problem borders on being out-of-hand. We have so many beautiful cats of all ages in our shelter right now that we are going to be unable to accept any new ones. We need our supporters, cat lovers, and those desiring the companionship of a pet to step forward and help us alleviate this critical problem."

In an effort to find good, permanent homes for 50 cats during July, PHS has cut the adoption fee on adults to $25.

"We need the public to help us on this one," Smith said. "Euthanasia is an option we do not want to be forced to use with any of these beautiful cats.”

Anyone interested in adopting a kitten or adult cat can stop by the Potsdam Humane Society’s Shelter at 17 Madrid Ave. The public can preview adoptable cats and print an adoption form on the PHS web site at www.potsdamhumanesociety.org.