Adopted Cats to Be Neutered by O.C. Shelter

The Orange County Animal Shelter will begin offering only neutered cats for adoption beginning March 1, and new owners will pay $10 more to cover the costs.

The Board of Supervisors approved the sterilization program Tuesday. In addition, adoptive owners will be charged $20 for the surgeries instead of paying a $10 deposit. Representatives from animal support groups had complained of an epidemic of feral cats.

The county euthanized 16,421 dogs and cats last year and is one of only a few Southern California counties to release “unaltered” pets to adoptive owners, county officials said. About half the euthanized animals were cats. Another 5,000 dead cats were retrieved after being hit by cars.

Last year, about 2,500 cats were adopted through the shelter in Orange.

Under current rules, cat owners pay a $10 sterilization deposit when adopting from the shelter, which is returned if they show proof that the animal was sterilized within two months. But only about one in five owners apply for reimbursement, officials said.