As the cold weather approaches, what could be better than a warm cat or kitten curled up on your lap?

The BC SPCA is holding a special adoption promotion for cats and kittens from Nov. 26 through Dec. 9, offering 50 per cent off all feline adoption fees.

"The BC SPCA takes in more than 17,000 homeless cats and kittens each year and right now our shelters are filled to capacity," Lorie Chortyk, general manager of community relations for the BC SPCA, said in a press release.

"Normally at this time of year the number of abandoned and surrendered kittens lessens, but the kittens just keep coming this year and we are really overwhelmed with the number of homeless kittens and cats who need loving homes. We hope this special promotion will be an incentive for people who have thought through their decision to adopt a pet and are just waiting for the right time."

Chortyk noted there are currently 936 adult cats and 1,146 kittens in SPCA facilities across the province needing good homes.

"These are beautiful animals who are homeless through no fault of their own," Chortyk said. "B.C. has an overwhelming cat overpopulation problem because people do not spay and neuter their pets, or they illegally abandon their cats, and the animals ultimately pay the price."

She says people who adopt cats and kittens from the SPCA are getting exceptional value, even without a special promotion.

"The BC SPCA's average cost to care for a cat during its stay is $784, much higher than the actual adoption fee. Our costs include vaccinations, spaying or neutering, an identification tattoo or microchip, preventative treatment for internal and external parasites, any medical care or rehabilitation required, daily welfare monitoring, sheltering and feeding."

Chortyk says while the goal of the Fall for Kittens promotion is to find loving homes for as many kittens and adult cats as possible, all of the usual adoption criteria will apply.

"We want to make sure that the animals are a right fit for their new home and that their needs will be met."

All cats and kittens are also covered by six weeks of pet insurance courtesy of Petsecure to cover the critical rehoming period.

For details on the Fall for Kittens promotion, visit your local SPCA branch (in the Tri-Cities, the PoCo Education & Adoption Centre is located at 104-3278 Westwood St.) or visit spca.bc.ca to view all adoptable animals.