Look around in any cage, cubby or corner at the Adams County Animal Shelter and one will probably find a cat.

Tons of cats.

Too many cats, if you ask the shelter’s kennel supervisor, Christine McCracken.

“What officers are bringing us in, we can’t get out the door fast enough,” McCracken said.

McCracken said they usually house about 80 adult cats at their facility but, right now, they are hovering around 200. She says they handle an average of about 3,500 cats each year.

“It’s a lot of stress, when it comes to litter, food, medications, to try and care for this many animals,” she said.

Time is of the essence for the shelter with spring around the corner and an influx of kittens expected.

“We have 200 cats, which we should almost be empty, and here we are, coming into spring time, with very few open holes for cats,” she said.

McCracken has worked for the shelter for 17 years and says this year they expect to see a large jump in animals. Last year, the shelter handled about 7,300 dogs and cats. This year, McCracken said they expect to see about 8,500 animals.

Much of the increase in animals can be traced to the fact that the shelter is taking on a larger number of communities after the closure of the Mile-Hi Humane Society. The shelter takes lost and abandoned animals from Commerce City, Federal Heights, Northglenn, Thornton and unincorporated Adams County. The city of Brighton has its own animal shelter.

“The amount of animals is just devastating when you look at cage space and trying to find homes,” McCracken said.

The shelter puts animals in foster homes, does off-site adoptions at pet supply stores and some transfers to no-kill facilities. While the Adams County shelter is not a non-euthanasia facility, McCracken said they view putting down an animal as a last option.

But the main need at this moment remains finding homes for the many cats taking refuge at the shelter. McCracken said when potential pet owners come down to the shelter, they will try their best to match them up with a cat that will best meet their needs – whether it be a cat that’s comfortable with kids or an animal that is used to a quieter environment.

The shelter also seeks help in other ways. If someone cannot provide a permanent home for a pet, they can also volunteer to be a foster home for an animal. McCracken said the shelter is also always in need of supplies especially food and kitty litter with the large number of cats they have right now.

The animal shelter, 10705 Fulton St., Brighton, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays. Call 303-288-3294 or 303-288-3135 for information.