Dakin's 'Adopt-a-cat' program

GREENFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Encouraging adoptions and saving lives is the goal of a local animal adoption center.

The Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society is trying to make it easier for folks to take home a pre-owned cat by waving the standard $120 adoption fee.

They are calling the program the "certified, pre-owned cat program." with zero dollars down and zero percent financing.

The humane society told 22News that adult cats make up the largest population of animals brought into the adoption center.

Out of the 11,000 animals in the shelter last year, more than three quarters of them were cats.

Candy Lash of the Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society told 22News that the problem is that people don't adopt cats enough and that they often get them from the neighborhood or friends.

"Were looking to find them great homes and we're looking to save lives at the same time, we know that when people have cats in their homes, fewer than 23% come from animal shelters, people tend to passively get cats," explained Lash.

The program doesn't just apply to cats in Franklin County's Leverette adoption center. They're also offering it in Springfield's adoption center on Union Street for a limited time.