It's been about three weeks now since a Cary woman gave up 65 cats that were crowding her house.

Originally, neighbors complained about the cats, and called police on Aug. 12.

The woman agreed to let authorities take all but four; 20 of the cats had to be euthanized.

Cat Angels Pet Adoption took in about three dozen, despite already being at full capacity.

"It's a huge strain financially and on the volunteers' time and energy," said Mike Fox, vice president of Cat Angels.

Between vaccinations, microchips, spaying and neutering, and getting them dewormed and defleaed, the group spends about $170 dollars per cat.

The group only makes back $115 of that cost when somebody then adopts one.

"We make up the difference in fund raising and donations," said Fox. "So to take in a large group of cats like that means we have to do more fundraising and get more donations to keep pace."

So far, six of the newcomers have already been adopted out, and half of the rest have been claimed.

"This is the happy ending that we all thrive on," said Cat Angels President Deborah Fox. "This is what makes it worth it."

Despite that, though, the agency is still overburdened.

They already had a full house of rescue cats before the new ones showed up.

The attention Cat Angels has gotten from the case has certainly helped with donations and adoptions, but Fox estimates they're still about $2,000 in the hole for the time being.

People who want to help out can stop by Cat Angels' office at 102-F Woodwinds Industrial Court, Cary, NC 27511 on Saturday afternoons from 12p.m. to 4p.m.

Adoption forms are available here; for more information call (919) 463-9586.

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