Manatee County is offering free cats to good homes.

Manatee County Animal Services is waiving adoption fees during June, which is adopt-a-shelter-cat month.

Anyone who wants to adopt a cat or kitten can go to the county's two adoption centers in downtown Bradenton and in Palmetto. You can even take a peek at available cats by going to www.mymanatee.org/pets.

 Visit the shelters in person at 305 25th St. W. in Palmetto, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or at 1002 B Manatee Ave. W. in Bradenton, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A recent article in the  Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science showed  that waiving fees for adult cats boosts adoptions without diminishing the value adopters place on their cats. In addition, the article said, fee-waived adoptions may actually decrease shelter costs by reducing the average length of stay for adult cats.

The county is partnering with the ASPCA and the makers of Fresh Step litter to help find  homes for cats. 

The ASPCA provided research for the Journal article.  Fresh Step Litter is getting involved by donating money to the ASPCA to help expand free cat adoption programs.

From June 1 through July 31, 2011, supporters can  “like” Fresh Step’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/freshstep.  For every person who "likes" the page,  the makers of Fresh Step litter will donate $1 -- up to a total of  $100,000 --  to the ASPCA to help expand programs like this and get more cats adopted.