Lack of donations has prompted plea for cat food from Central Brevard Humane Society

By Jenet Krol

Krol@hometownnewsol.com

COCOA - The combination of a downtrodden economy and an explosion in the cat population has caused a dire situation at the Central Brevard Humane Society.

"We're going through cat food like you wouldn't believe," said Eileen Cole, media relations specialist for the Central Brevard Humane Society.

"We've had an over-abundance of cats and kittens at the shelter this year," said Ms. Cole. Currently, the shelter houses close to 55 felines.

"With people losing their jobs and homes they have had to give up their pets," she said. "It's sad, because they don't want to, but are moving to a smaller place or out of state and have to."

Some cats and kittens are adopted within days of being brought to the shelters, but others have stayed there for as long as nine months, said Ms. Cole.

A 40-pound bag of dry cat food feeds three to four cats for about one month.

Due to the tail-spinning economy, the shelter has seen a drop off in donations this year, she said.

"The shelter can use anything and everything the public would like to give us - paper towels, bleach, and hand sanitizer - but we'd like them to think of food first," said Ms. Cole.

The shelter is in need of both dry and wet cat food.

Donations can be dropped off at the shelter at 1020 Cox Road, Cocoa, or at the Molly Mutt Thrift Stores in Merritt Island, Melbourne and Rockledge.

For more information on the Central Brevard Humane Society, visit www.crittersavers.com or call (321) 636-3343.