It's raining cats and ... cats

COEUR d'ALENE - Rondi Renaldo has a special request.

"If you ever thought about getting a cat, please come in now."

The executive director of the Kootenai Humane Society said in the next two weeks, the shelter will receive 133 cats and kittens - that's on top of the 120 cats that already reside at the shelter at the end of Ramsey Road.

The new arrivals are the result of an abundance of litters that are being given away by their owners.

"We are just getting flooded with phone calls from people who have cats that have had litters," she said.

One had nine kittens. Another, five. They can't be left outside because of the cold and snow, and some of the cats are declawed, and couldn't survive on their own.

"Now it's a matter of life and death, basically, for the cats," Renaldo said Wednesday. "We have to make room for them."

There is a plan.

Today, Friday and Saturday, from noon to 6 p.m., the shelter will have a special deal for you. Stop by, spin the wheel and the price for a cat will range from $1.33 to $10.33.

Each cat is in good condition and is spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. A volunteer also donated collars and toys, so each cat comes with a gift.

"It's an incredible deal," Renaldo said.

She said they need to find homes for their current cats as soon as possible so they can provide shelter for the next 133.

"We're taking them in as soon as we can," she said.