NOVATO (BCN) -- The Marin Human Society in Novato is opening its new cat adoption center today, which will allow the shelter to accommodate a growing demand for pet cats.

The center will feature kitty condos, several large community cat rooms, and viewing rooms that allow prospective cat owners to get acquainted with the animals before adopting them.

In the past few years the demand for adoptable cats and kittens has increased by more than 25 percent at the Marin Humane Society, despite the economy inhibiting many California residents from adopting pets, shelter officials said.

"It's really interesting in Marin because we've seen the effects of the economy at other shelters, and we're not immune to the economy,” shelter spokeswoman Carrie Harrington said. "But our adoption numbers have been on the rise for more than a year. Regionally, we've become the place to adopt animals."

Harrington said that may be because Marin County is one of the more affluent counties in the Bay Area, but also because people are spending more time at home instead of working and enjoy having a pet.

The Marin Humane Society has also been helping other shelters throughout the state house cats that cannot be lodged elsewhere, shelter officials said.

The center is located at 171 Bel Marin Keys Blvd. in Novato and has an average of 25 cats up for adoption at any given time.
     
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