Reporter: Haley Jacobs
•6/18/2026
COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — Collier County Domestic Animal Services has temporarily suspended general cat intake as the shelter works to manage overcrowding and prevent the spread of disease among cats already in its care.
The suspension took effect Thursday and comes as the shelter cares for approximately 302 cats onsite — more than double its ideal operating capacity — in addition to hundreds of animals in foster homes.
Collier DAS
County officials say the shelter is also managing communicable illnesses within its cat population, including upper respiratory infections and panleukopenia, a highly contagious viral disease that can be especially dangerous for kittens.
Despite the intake suspension, Domestic Animal Services will continue accepting sick, injured, orphaned, medically compromised, or emergency feline cases. Dog intake operations are not affected.
According to the county, the current population surge is being driven in part by an influx of kittens entering shelters during what animal welfare organizations call "kitten season."
"Many moms are currently having babies," said Becca Morris, CEO of Patty Baker Humane Society Naples. "Oftentimes those babies do get separated from their moms, and so we have young kittens that haven't quite learned how to be a cat yet that need homes to grow up in."
Animal advocates say Southwest Florida experiences seasonal spikes in kitten intake, particularly during warmer months when cats reproduce more frequently. Morris said the region is currently at the height of kitten season.
As Domestic Animal Services works to reduce its population, neighboring shelters and rescue organizations are stepping in to help.
Patty Baker Humane Society Naples has already taken in two neonatal kittens from Domestic Animal Services and is preparing to assist with additional animals as space becomes available.
"We're a community, and so we work together," Morris said.
The organization says fostering is one of the most effective ways residents can help during the intake suspension.
"The one place where our community can step in and support us so that we can support Domestic Animal Services is foster," Morris said.
Domestic Animal Services says it continues to expand adoption, foster, rescue, and transport efforts to create more space and reduce disease risks within the shelter.
One of the biggest questions raised by the intake suspension is what residents should do if they find a healthy stray cat.
According to Collier County, residents should first determine whether the animal may be a community cat, an owned outdoor cat, or a lost pet.
If the cat appears healthy and is not injured or in distress, officials say leaving it in place while attempting to locate an owner is often the best first step.
Residents are encouraged to:
Cats that are sick, injured, orphaned, medically compromised, or in emergency situations will continue to be accepted by Domestic Animal Services during the suspension.
The county also continues to offer community cat spay and neuter services through its Return-to-Home program on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Domestic Animal Services says community support is critical as the shelter works through the current crisis.
The adoption center remains open, and all adoption fees have been waived during the intake suspension.
Officials are also encouraging residents to foster, volunteer, and donate supplies.
The county says even short-term foster placements can help create space for vulnerable animals and allow staff to focus resources on cats requiring medical care.
The suspension will remain in place while Domestic Animal Services evaluates shelter population levels and disease management efforts.
