By Nick Dutro, ndutro@advertiser-tribune.com

The Humane Society of Seneca County is hosting a March Madness cat adoption special Tuesday through Saturday next week.

Marcia Shockley, shelter manager, said every adult cat adoption is specially priced at $30,

less than the regular $70 adoption fee during the week.

"We have some fantastic older cats here, and that is who we want to feature," Shockley said. "We're

saving lives if we can get these animals in great homes."

All cats have been tested for leukemia, FIV and heartworm, have been treated to remove worms and fleas, have been started on their age-appropriate shots and have been spayed or neutered.

The event is to use the same adoption process as a regular adoption but Shockley said she hopes the animals can be sent to their new homes the same day.

The event is only for adult cats, not kittens or dogs. Shockley said adult cats are often difficult to adopt, however she and business manager Barb Brookes discovered the idea while attending the Midwest Veterinary Conference in Columbus in February.

"This was one of the techniques many societies found beneficial," Shockley said. "This is what (other large shelters in Ohio) have done."

As well as Shockley and Brookes, animal technician Amanda Phlegar and fundraiser coordinator Nadine Stevens are helping with the event.

"It's a new and different experience for the shelter, but I think it's going to help with getting the animals out, and getting the public in," Stevens said. "(And) it's going to get us out in the public more."

Shockley said she hopes also to increase awareness about the importance of having pets, cats especially, spayed and neutered.

"Responsible pet ownership means spaying and neutering your pet," Shockley said.

This could be the first of many new programs and events for the Humane Society. Shockley said the group is not covering its costs with the event but hope it will increase adoption rates without affecting its bottom line.

"If this works out, we have a whole lot of different ideas that we'd like to try," Shockley said.

For more information, contact the Humane Society of Seneca County at (419) 447-5704 or visit the office at 2811 S. SR 100, Tiffin.