Flathead County Animal Shelter Director Cliff Bennett was heartened by the public response to a Daily Inter Lake story about critical overcrowding at the shelter.

"It was overwhelming," he said. "The story was in Friday and between Friday and Saturday over 20 dogs went out."

Bennett said that only about five dogs came in during that period, relieving some of the critical overcrowding of 80 dogs in a shelter maxed out with just 55. He said he considers any day where more go out than come in a good day.

Now the director hopes to motivate some cat lovers to help out with the feline population, which continues to explode with about 100 cats, including 25 in foster care.

"It seems that every year in the fall people round up cats and bring them in," Bennett said. "This year we have kind of a ‘cat-tasrophe.'"

To make it easier for people to adopt, the shelter offers a half-price fall special of just $17 to take home an adult cat. Normally the shelter charges $35 to help cover the cost of spaying or neutering and microchipping the cat.

Bennett said they have come up with the slogan "Fall for a Flathead Cat." The special price does not apply to kittens since they find homes more easily than the full-grown cats.

Prospective owners have a choice of a wide variety of cats, according to Bennett. He said the shelter has long and short-haired cats, calicos, Manx, tabbies and more.

"Some came in de-clawed," he said. "We prefer not to do that because, if they go outside, they're defenseless."

Bennett and his wife recently adopted two adult cats to join their dog at home. One was a big black and white male that they named "Groucho" in honor of his big mustache, and the other was a lean female the color of wheat berries so they call her "Wheaty."

He described the two as strays, estimated at between 2 to 4 years old. The cats soon whipped their doghouse mate into shape.

"They trained the dog not to attack," Bennett said with a laugh. "He's a big playful dog who was bounding up to them."

People may preview felines in waiting at the shelter by visiting the website www.flathead.mt.gov/animal. Photos include descriptions of cats such as Oliver, a curious and mischievous young male, Libby, a patient and relaxed female, and Squeak, an older adult lap cat perfect for a senior guy.

"They all want to be petted and talked to," Bennett said. "We have a lot of kittens. Some still need to be bottle fed when they come in, so those go to foster homes then come back when they are big enough."

He called the numbers this fall unprecedented with cats arriving daily as strays as well as many owner turn-ins. Bennett said some people just don't want to clean the litter box all winter but most have given up their cats because of a change in their lives.

"In this economy, a lot of people have to move and a lot of landlords don't allow pets," Bennett said. "People lose their homes, move in with relatives or they have to leave the state."

He said divorces and broken relationships also result in homeless cats and dogs.

As days grow colder, some people trap feral cats and take them to the shelter. The director said these pose a difficult problem since they must be roomed away for the public and the staff has to handle them for spaying and neutering and microchipping.

The shelter has just one feline animal handler.

"She's pretty overworked," Bennett said. "When county budgets are tight and lean, there is no extra staff so we reach out and tap volunteers."

For those who can't take in a cat or dog, the animal shelter's website has suggestions of other ways to help under its "Pickapet Program." Suggestions range from donating the adoption fee, spay/neuter costs or cat litter, dog and cat toys, dog treats and feed.

Visitors may go to the shelter Tuesday through Friday from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to see the animals and interact with them. For more information, call 752-1310.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.