Anyone who watched “The Price is Right” with Bob Barker is familiar with his reminder: Have your pets spayed or neutered. The game-show host ended each game show with the message. It's one that still needs to be communicated.Recently, the City of Powell/Moyer Animal Shelter has experienced an influx of animals, felines in particular. Caring for Powell Animals, the organization that operates the shelter, has vowed to make it a no-kill shelter. Locating homes for dozens of animals is a challenge, especially at a time when many households are tightening their budgets.The shelter is bulging at the seams with around 40 cats — more than it has ever housed. Part of the increase is due to two recent cases of abandonment. In one occurrence, five kittens were abandoned at the shelter. In another, 14 were left behind.Abandonment is not only irresponsible — it's against the law.In a Tribune article last week, Police Chief Tim Feathers reminded the community: “You cannot just bring animals over there (to the shelter) and drop them off. When you do that, you've violated city ordinance.”Unwanted animals can be taken to the shelter during business hours, but to help with costs, a surrender fee of $25 is charged for each cat or dog.Residents also are asked not to dump the animals at an unsuspecting veterinarian's office or rural property. For owners with unwanted litters, give-away kittens and puppies can be advertised in the Tribune's classifieds at no cost.Those who already own a cat or dog can help prevent the problem of unwanted animals by following Barker's decades-old advice: Have your pets spayed or neutered.

Anyone who watched “The Price is Right” with Bob Barker is familiar with his reminder: Have your pets spayed or neutered. The game-show host ended each game show with the message. It's one that still needs to be communicated.

Recently, the City of Powell/Moyer Animal Shelter has experienced an influx of animals, felines in particular.

Caring for Powell Animals, the organization that operates the shelter, has vowed to make it a no-kill shelter.

Locating homes for dozens of animals is a challenge, especially at a time when many households are tightening their budgets.

The shelter is bulging at the seams with around 40 cats — more than it has ever housed. Part of the increase is due to two recent cases of abandonment. In one occurrence, five kittens were abandoned at the shelter. In another, 14 were left behind.

Abandonment is not only irresponsible — it's against the law.

In a Tribune article last week, Police Chief Tim Feathers reminded the community: “You cannot just bring animals over there (to the shelter) and drop them off. When you do that, you've violated city ordinance.”

Unwanted animals can be taken to the shelter during business hours, but to help with costs, a surrender fee of $25 is charged for each cat or dog.

Residents also are asked not to dump the animals at an unsuspecting veterinarian's office or rural property. For owners with unwanted litters, give-away kittens and puppies can be advertised in the Tribune's classifieds at no cost.

Those who already own a cat or dog can help prevent the problem of unwanted animals by following Barker's decades-old advice: Have your pets spayed or neutered.