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Meet Olive
Lonely Hearts Club Member
Olive is a spunky 8-year-old diabetic cat. With a mischievous personality, she’s quickly become a favorite amongst the staff at CCS. If you adopt Olive, we assure you there will never be a dull day in your household again! View her profile to learn more.
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Save a life and find your new best friend while opening up more space in the shelter. After picking out your purrfect match, apply to adopt!
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Get involved by giving back! We have many volunteer roles available to help support the cats in our shelter. A few hours can make a world of difference.
Upcoming Events
Free Seminar: Clicker Training Your Cats
Free Seminar: The Benefits of Play
Free Seminar: Keeping Senior Cats Healthy
Paws on the Green: Golf Tournament
Free Seminar: Resolving Litter Box Issues
Cats on Mats – Shelter Yoga
Free Seminar: Building a Better Bond with Your Kitty
Cats on Mats – Shelter Yoga
Thrifty Kitty Pop Up Shop
Free Seminar: Q&A with a Cat Behaviorist
Purrs and Paint
Free Seminar: Kitten Class
Cat Takeover at New Terrain Brewing Co.
Free Seminar: Helping Cats Live Together
“Fore the Felines” at TopGolf Centennial
“Fore the Felines” Online Auction
- Ends March 15, 2026
Free Seminar: Successful Cat Introductions
Art from the Heart: Online Art Auction
- Ends February 28, 2026
Colorado Gives Day
Santa Paws
The Whisker Whisper Blog
The (Long) Road to Relief: How CCS Supports Cats with Allergies
Just like humans, cats can suffer from a variety of allergies, including food allergies, environmental allergies, and flea hypersensitivities (an intense reaction to the proteins in flea saliva). While allergies are relatively common in cats, managing symptoms and identifying the underlying cause can be a long and often complex process, especially in a shelter environment, where many cats arrive without a known medical history.
At Cat Care Society (CCS), our veterinary team works to provide relief, improve quality of life, and help cats with allergies find loving homes. In a Q&A, Dr. Cecily Palamara, Cat Care Society’s Chief Veterinarian, answered a series of questions about cats with allergies, including the approach CCS uses to best support the cats and educate potential adopters to set them up for success.
What are the most common symptoms you see that indicate a cat may have an allergy?
Dr. Cecily Palamara: The most common symptoms we see in cats are overgrooming of the fur (which often causes hair loss), self-trauma/biting at the skin/fur, wounds, itchiness/frequent scratching, and scabbing/dermatitis associated with overgrooming and self-trauma.
Note: If these symptoms sound familiar and you suspect that your cat has an allergy, talk to your vet or visit our Veterinary and Medical Services resource page to find a vet for support. Also, check out other CCS blog posts related to cat health and medical care to stay informed about your cat’s wellness.
What are the steps taken at the shelter/veterinary care levels to address suspected allergies?
Dr. Cecily Palamara: The shelter approach to feline allergies is directed at alleviating symptoms rather than definitively diagnosing the underlying cause. When one of our vets suspects allergies in a patient (either food allergies, environmental allergies, and/or flea allergies), we focus on quick relief of symptoms rather than definitive diagnosis of underlying cause.
Any cat noted to have a history of severe skin issues or noted to have skin issues on intake to CCS (scratching, biting, scabbing, hair loss, etc.), receives a DVM exam (a comprehensive exam performed by a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) to determine next treatment and diagnostic steps. We first rule out parasitic causes via skin scrapings and skin cytologies to rule out demodex (a mite) or other parasites, and all cats (regardless of skin condition) are treated with a topical antiparasitic upon arrival to CCS. Sometimes additional diagnostics, such as bloodwork and/or skin biopsies, are pursued depending on the appearance and severity of the skin lesions. If a CCS veterinarian suspects underlying allergies as a cause of the skin issues, the cat is usually started on the following:
- a special prescription diet to address potential food allergies
- an antibiotic injection to address secondary bacterial pyoderma (sometimes we put them on stronger antibiotics depending on the severity of the skin infection)
- Atopica, an immunomodulating oral medication that is very successful at managing allergies long term in cats
Sometimes we will also concurrently start a shorter course of corticosteroids to get itchiness and inflammation under control more quickly, as the Atopica takes longer to take effect.
We do not perform specific allergen testing or treat with immunotherapy (this is sometimes recommended by dermatologists for diagnosis and treatment) as this is outside of our scope and would not often change the course of our in-shelter treatment.
How long does it typically take to get the allergy and its symptoms under control?
Dr. Cecily Palamara: Typically, it takes between 1-3 months for us to start seeing a positive response to treatment. Our suspected allergy cats are one of our longest stay cohorts of patients because we want to make sure that they are comfortable, well-managed on medication and diet, and have good quality of life prior to making them available for adoption. This takes time, frequent medication and diet adjustments, and frequent rechecks to assess response to treatment. Whenever available, we try to send these cats to a foster home while we await a response to treatment. We have had excellent success with our allergy cats, with only 1-2 cats in the last 4 years having a poor or inadequate response to treatment. One of these cats was referred to a dermatologist while in care for additional treatment suggestions and ended up having a successful adoption despite the individual challenges of her condition.
What is the most challenging part of working with cats who may have an allergy?
Dr. Cecily Palamara: The most difficult aspect of working with allergy cats is that they are very challenging to adopt out and typically have longer lengths of stay in shelter, even when they demonstrate a great response to treatment. We really feel for these cats when they stay with us long term, often with no visible symptoms of allergies due to adequate medical management—their history and need for more complex care can be a deterrent for prospective adopters. Our main goal and what makes us fulfilled as shelter workers is to find adoptive homes for these cats, so seeing them have longer stays in-shelter can be difficult for shelter and medical staff.
The majority of our allergy cats show excellent response to care but will also need a dedicated guardian to provide lifelong care with diet, medication, frequent vet visits, and frequent vet-supervised treatment/medication adjustments. The intensity of the care required to maintain quality of life and comfort can be daunting for a potential adopter and can deter some from adoption. This is why we try to achieve adequate management of symptoms prior to making these cats available, so that we can show potential adopters that management is possible with appropriate care. Most of our allergy cats require a DVM consult prior to adoption to discuss the complexity of care, the CCS approach to treatment, what long term care might look like with their veterinarian, and potential associated costs. We also provide one month of free medication and prescription diet to adopters of allergic cats.
Very rarely will we see cats that show a poor response to our in-shelter treatment approach. These cats can be intensive to manage as they need more frequent medication additions and adjustments to manage quality of life.
For people considering adopting a cat with allergies, what should they know about allergy management and flare-ups?
Dr. Cecily Palamara: Our adopters should know that allergies (regardless of underlying cause) are often a life-long issue and will require more frequent vet visits, medication adjustments, and generally be more costly and care-intensive than other cats in the shelter. CCS staff and veterinarians do our best to set adopters up for success with medication, special diet, and often a medical consultation to discuss what long term care will look like. That being said, these cats are also incredibly rewarding to treat and make amazing companions when managed appropriately. Several of our adopters of allergic cats have disclosed that they have allergies or other medical conditions themselves and are empathetic to our allergy cats’ needs.
Closing Thoughts
With the right care plan and a dedicated caregiver, cats with allergies can live happy, healthy lives and be the purrfect companions. At CCS, we are committed to providing these cats with the time and medical care they need before adoption while equipping adopters with the knowledge, and resources necessary to help their new family members thrive at home.
About the Author: Beth Dokolasa is a volunteer for Cat Care Society and serves on the Board of Directors. She is an instructional developer for Natural Grocers and lives in Indian Hills, Colo., with her husband, daughter, and two cats, Techno and Digit.
You helped us heal Nova, then she returned the favor.
The True Cost of Kitten Season
Every spring, animal shelters prepare for kitten season, the time of year when an influx of newborn litters arrive. Though kittens are small, they often require a large portion of shelter resources, from medical care and supplies to staff and foster time. At CCS, we’re known for taking in cats of all ages who might not have a chance anywhere else due to complex medical conditions or other special needs. Kitten season is no exception.
Warmer Weather = Longer Kitten Season
Traditionally, cats reproduce when days lengthen and temperatures rise. But in recent years, shelters across the country have observed kitten season starting earlier and lasting longer. Milder winter temperatures are increasingly being viewed as a primary cause for several reasons. When winters are less harsh, more cats survive—and they begin reproducing sooner. Increased access to food and shelter during warmer conditions also supports higher survival rates for kittens. Additionally, warmer winters boost kitten visibility by drawing more people outdoors, leading to more kittens being noticed and brought to shelters.
All of this results in a longer breeding window, more litters being born, and more kittens arriving at shelters. And because cats can have multiple litters in a single season, the population growth can quickly become overwhelming.
The Fragility of Kittens
Kittens have underdeveloped immune systems and gastrointestinal tracts, making them highly susceptible to contagious illnesses. Kittens from the same litter are housed together, which means even a minor illness can quickly spread, requiring intensive medical care, isolation protocols, and round-the-clock monitoring.
Beyond this, caring for neonatal kittens (0 to 4 weeks old) that do not have their mother present adds another layer of complexity. These kittens require bottle feeding every few hours, temperature regulation, and constant supervision to ensure their safety and wellbeing. Additionally, the most critical socialization period for a cat is from 2-9 weeks of age, and frequent contact with humans during this time plays a key role in shaping a kitten’s friendliness, trust, and ability to bond with people.
The Strain on Shelter Resources
Kitten season doesn’t just increase the number of cats in care—it also multiplies the demands on every part of a shelter’s operation, including:
- Increased medical costs for vulnerable kittens
- Greater need for specialized supplies, such as formula, heating pads, and personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Significant staff and volunteer time dedicated to feeding, cleaning, and monitoring
- Expanded foster networks to relieve overcrowding and provide more intensive care
The overall financial impact is substantial, especially since kittens must stay in care until they’re old enough for adoption. In 2025, Cat Care Society spent a significant amount caring for more than 350 kittens. This included over $7,000 on personal protective equipment (PPE) alone, such as disposable gloves, gowns, shoe covers, and face protection. While not a glamorous expense, PPE is critical for protecting vulnerable kittens and preventing the spread of contagious illness.
Beyond the financial strain, kitten season also takes an emotional toll on staff and volunteers. The constant influx of fragile animals, combined with often high-stakes, urgent care they require, can often be overwhelming. Ensuring consistent access to necessary supplies and PPE helps ease this pressure, allowing caregivers to focus fully on the kittens and feel confident they have everything they need to give them the best possible care. That peace of mind makes a real difference, helping reduce stress and minimize fatigue during one of the busiest and most demanding times of the year.
Why Spaying and Neutering Is Critical
One of the most effective ways to curb this cycle is through spaying and neutering both pet cats as well as community cats living in colonies. Without intervention, unspayed female cats can go into heat every few weeks during breeding season, producing litter after litter. In addition to population control, spaying and neutering provides cats with health and behavioral benefits making it a practical and caring solution.
Being proactive with spay and neuter efforts is essential for keeping cat populations manageable, which is why Colorado has enacted both state and local legislation to address the issue. All Colorado shelters are required to spay and neuter the cats in their care before adoption (Cat Care Society performed 393 spay/neuter surgeries in FY2025!). If the procedure must be postponed due to health or age, a written agreement must be made to ensure it is completed at a later date. In Denver, all cats over six months old must be spayed or neutered unless the owner obtains an annual permit to keep their cat unaltered.
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is a humane way to trap feral cats, spaying or neutering them, and returning them to their outdoor homes, TNR prevents future litters from being born. TNR doesn’t just reduce the number of kittens entering shelters—it also improves the health of cat colonies and reduces the strain on already overwhelmed systems. Read more about TNR in one of our other blog posts and check out our list of TNR organizations that provide services in the Denver metro area if you’d like to get involved or need support.
Make a Difference This Kitten Season
Throughout the month of May, we’re running a dedicated campaign to help cover the costs of medical treatment, supplies, and nutrition that come with kitten season. With your support, we aim to raise $10,000 to help as many kittens as possible receive the care they need to thrive.
We also maintain registries on Amazon and Chewy where anyone can shop and donate critical supplies like kitten formula, bottles, heating pads, blankets, cleaning supplies, disinfectants, and more.
Supporting TNR programs, fostering kittens, spreading awareness, ensuring your current pets are spayed or neutered, and adopting from shelters are also key ways our community can help reduce the impact of kitten season.
Closing
Kitten season will always be inevitable to some degree, which is why CCS is always looking at ways to make it less overwhelming while maintaining our high standards of care. With proactive strategies, community support, and continued education, we can help create a future where fewer kittens are born into crisis—and more have the chance to thrive.
About the Author: Beth Dokolasa is a volunteer for Cat Care Society and serves on the Board of Directors. She is an instructional developer for Natural Grocers and lives in Indian Hills, Colo., with her husband, daughter, and two cats, Techno and Digit.
The (Long) Road to Relief: How CCS Supports Cats with Allergies
Just like humans, cats can suffer from a variety of allergies, including food allergies, environmental allergies, and flea hypersensitivities (an intense reaction to the proteins in flea saliva). While allergies are relatively common in cats, managing symptoms and identifying the underlying cause can be a long and often complex process, especially in a shelter environment, where many cats arrive without a known medical history.
At Cat Care Society (CCS), our veterinary team works to provide relief, improve quality of life, and help cats with allergies find loving homes. In a Q&A, Dr. Cecily Palamara, Cat Care Society’s Chief Veterinarian, answered a series of questions about cats with allergies, including the approach CCS uses to best support the cats and educate potential adopters to set them up for success.
What are the most common symptoms you see that indicate a cat may have an allergy?
Dr. Cecily Palamara: The most common symptoms we see in cats are overgrooming of the fur (which often causes hair loss), self-trauma/biting at the skin/fur, wounds, itchiness/frequent scratching, and scabbing/dermatitis associated with overgrooming and self-trauma.
Note: If these symptoms sound familiar and you suspect that your cat has an allergy, talk to your vet or visit our Veterinary and Medical Services resource page to find a vet for support. Also, check out other CCS blog posts related to cat health and medical care to stay informed about your cat’s wellness.
What are the steps taken at the shelter/veterinary care levels to address suspected allergies?
Dr. Cecily Palamara: The shelter approach to feline allergies is directed at alleviating symptoms rather than definitively diagnosing the underlying cause. When one of our vets suspects allergies in a patient (either food allergies, environmental allergies, and/or flea allergies), we focus on quick relief of symptoms rather than definitive diagnosis of underlying cause.
Any cat noted to have a history of severe skin issues or noted to have skin issues on intake to CCS (scratching, biting, scabbing, hair loss, etc.), receives a DVM exam (a comprehensive exam performed by a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) to determine next treatment and diagnostic steps. We first rule out parasitic causes via skin scrapings and skin cytologies to rule out demodex (a mite) or other parasites, and all cats (regardless of skin condition) are treated with a topical antiparasitic upon arrival to CCS. Sometimes additional diagnostics, such as bloodwork and/or skin biopsies, are pursued depending on the appearance and severity of the skin lesions. If a CCS veterinarian suspects underlying allergies as a cause of the skin issues, the cat is usually started on the following:
- a special prescription diet to address potential food allergies
- an antibiotic injection to address secondary bacterial pyoderma (sometimes we put them on stronger antibiotics depending on the severity of the skin infection)
- Atopica, an immunomodulating oral medication that is very successful at managing allergies long term in cats
Sometimes we will also concurrently start a shorter course of corticosteroids to get itchiness and inflammation under control more quickly, as the Atopica takes longer to take effect.
We do not perform specific allergen testing or treat with immunotherapy (this is sometimes recommended by dermatologists for diagnosis and treatment) as this is outside of our scope and would not often change the course of our in-shelter treatment.
How long does it typically take to get the allergy and its symptoms under control?
Dr. Cecily Palamara: Typically, it takes between 1-3 months for us to start seeing a positive response to treatment. Our suspected allergy cats are one of our longest stay cohorts of patients because we want to make sure that they are comfortable, well-managed on medication and diet, and have good quality of life prior to making them available for adoption. This takes time, frequent medication and diet adjustments, and frequent rechecks to assess response to treatment. Whenever available, we try to send these cats to a foster home while we await a response to treatment. We have had excellent success with our allergy cats, with only 1-2 cats in the last 4 years having a poor or inadequate response to treatment. One of these cats was referred to a dermatologist while in care for additional treatment suggestions and ended up having a successful adoption despite the individual challenges of her condition.
What is the most challenging part of working with cats who may have an allergy?
Dr. Cecily Palamara: The most difficult aspect of working with allergy cats is that they are very challenging to adopt out and typically have longer lengths of stay in shelter, even when they demonstrate a great response to treatment. We really feel for these cats when they stay with us long term, often with no visible symptoms of allergies due to adequate medical management—their history and need for more complex care can be a deterrent for prospective adopters. Our main goal and what makes us fulfilled as shelter workers is to find adoptive homes for these cats, so seeing them have longer stays in-shelter can be difficult for shelter and medical staff.
The majority of our allergy cats show excellent response to care but will also need a dedicated guardian to provide lifelong care with diet, medication, frequent vet visits, and frequent vet-supervised treatment/medication adjustments. The intensity of the care required to maintain quality of life and comfort can be daunting for a potential adopter and can deter some from adoption. This is why we try to achieve adequate management of symptoms prior to making these cats available, so that we can show potential adopters that management is possible with appropriate care. Most of our allergy cats require a DVM consult prior to adoption to discuss the complexity of care, the CCS approach to treatment, what long term care might look like with their veterinarian, and potential associated costs. We also provide one month of free medication and prescription diet to adopters of allergic cats.
Very rarely will we see cats that show a poor response to our in-shelter treatment approach. These cats can be intensive to manage as they need more frequent medication additions and adjustments to manage quality of life.
For people considering adopting a cat with allergies, what should they know about allergy management and flare-ups?
Dr. Cecily Palamara: Our adopters should know that allergies (regardless of underlying cause) are often a life-long issue and will require more frequent vet visits, medication adjustments, and generally be more costly and care-intensive than other cats in the shelter. CCS staff and veterinarians do our best to set adopters up for success with medication, special diet, and often a medical consultation to discuss what long term care will look like. That being said, these cats are also incredibly rewarding to treat and make amazing companions when managed appropriately. Several of our adopters of allergic cats have disclosed that they have allergies or other medical conditions themselves and are empathetic to our allergy cats’ needs.
Closing Thoughts
With the right care plan and a dedicated caregiver, cats with allergies can live happy, healthy lives and be the purrfect companions. At CCS, we are committed to providing these cats with the time and medical care they need before adoption while equipping adopters with the knowledge, and resources necessary to help their new family members thrive at home.
About the Author: Beth Dokolasa is a volunteer for Cat Care Society and serves on the Board of Directors. She is an instructional developer for Natural Grocers and lives in Indian Hills, Colo., with her husband, daughter, and two cats, Techno and Digit.
You helped us heal Nova, then she returned the favor.
The True Cost of Kitten Season
Every spring, animal shelters prepare for kitten season, the time of year when an influx of newborn litters arrive. Though kittens are small, they often require a large portion of shelter resources, from medical care and supplies to staff and foster time. At CCS, we’re known for taking in cats of all ages who might not have a chance anywhere else due to complex medical conditions or other special needs. Kitten season is no exception.
Warmer Weather = Longer Kitten Season
Traditionally, cats reproduce when days lengthen and temperatures rise. But in recent years, shelters across the country have observed kitten season starting earlier and lasting longer. Milder winter temperatures are increasingly being viewed as a primary cause for several reasons. When winters are less harsh, more cats survive—and they begin reproducing sooner. Increased access to food and shelter during warmer conditions also supports higher survival rates for kittens. Additionally, warmer winters boost kitten visibility by drawing more people outdoors, leading to more kittens being noticed and brought to shelters.
All of this results in a longer breeding window, more litters being born, and more kittens arriving at shelters. And because cats can have multiple litters in a single season, the population growth can quickly become overwhelming.
The Fragility of Kittens
Kittens have underdeveloped immune systems and gastrointestinal tracts, making them highly susceptible to contagious illnesses. Kittens from the same litter are housed together, which means even a minor illness can quickly spread, requiring intensive medical care, isolation protocols, and round-the-clock monitoring.
Beyond this, caring for neonatal kittens (0 to 4 weeks old) that do not have their mother present adds another layer of complexity. These kittens require bottle feeding every few hours, temperature regulation, and constant supervision to ensure their safety and wellbeing. Additionally, the most critical socialization period for a cat is from 2-9 weeks of age, and frequent contact with humans during this time plays a key role in shaping a kitten’s friendliness, trust, and ability to bond with people.
The Strain on Shelter Resources
Kitten season doesn’t just increase the number of cats in care—it also multiplies the demands on every part of a shelter’s operation, including:
- Increased medical costs for vulnerable kittens
- Greater need for specialized supplies, such as formula, heating pads, and personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Significant staff and volunteer time dedicated to feeding, cleaning, and monitoring
- Expanded foster networks to relieve overcrowding and provide more intensive care
The overall financial impact is substantial, especially since kittens must stay in care until they’re old enough for adoption. In 2025, Cat Care Society spent a significant amount caring for more than 350 kittens. This included over $7,000 on personal protective equipment (PPE) alone, such as disposable gloves, gowns, shoe covers, and face protection. While not a glamorous expense, PPE is critical for protecting vulnerable kittens and preventing the spread of contagious illness.
Beyond the financial strain, kitten season also takes an emotional toll on staff and volunteers. The constant influx of fragile animals, combined with often high-stakes, urgent care they require, can often be overwhelming. Ensuring consistent access to necessary supplies and PPE helps ease this pressure, allowing caregivers to focus fully on the kittens and feel confident they have everything they need to give them the best possible care. That peace of mind makes a real difference, helping reduce stress and minimize fatigue during one of the busiest and most demanding times of the year.
Why Spaying and Neutering Is Critical
One of the most effective ways to curb this cycle is through spaying and neutering both pet cats as well as community cats living in colonies. Without intervention, unspayed female cats can go into heat every few weeks during breeding season, producing litter after litter. In addition to population control, spaying and neutering provides cats with health and behavioral benefits making it a practical and caring solution.
Being proactive with spay and neuter efforts is essential for keeping cat populations manageable, which is why Colorado has enacted both state and local legislation to address the issue. All Colorado shelters are required to spay and neuter the cats in their care before adoption (Cat Care Society performed 393 spay/neuter surgeries in FY2025!). If the procedure must be postponed due to health or age, a written agreement must be made to ensure it is completed at a later date. In Denver, all cats over six months old must be spayed or neutered unless the owner obtains an annual permit to keep their cat unaltered.
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is a humane way to trap feral cats, spaying or neutering them, and returning them to their outdoor homes, TNR prevents future litters from being born. TNR doesn’t just reduce the number of kittens entering shelters—it also improves the health of cat colonies and reduces the strain on already overwhelmed systems. Read more about TNR in one of our other blog posts and check out our list of TNR organizations that provide services in the Denver metro area if you’d like to get involved or need support.
Make a Difference This Kitten Season
Throughout the month of May, we’re running a dedicated campaign to help cover the costs of medical treatment, supplies, and nutrition that come with kitten season. With your support, we aim to raise $10,000 to help as many kittens as possible receive the care they need to thrive.
We also maintain registries on Amazon and Chewy where anyone can shop and donate critical supplies like kitten formula, bottles, heating pads, blankets, cleaning supplies, disinfectants, and more.
Supporting TNR programs, fostering kittens, spreading awareness, ensuring your current pets are spayed or neutered, and adopting from shelters are also key ways our community can help reduce the impact of kitten season.
Closing
Kitten season will always be inevitable to some degree, which is why CCS is always looking at ways to make it less overwhelming while maintaining our high standards of care. With proactive strategies, community support, and continued education, we can help create a future where fewer kittens are born into crisis—and more have the chance to thrive.
About the Author: Beth Dokolasa is a volunteer for Cat Care Society and serves on the Board of Directors. She is an instructional developer for Natural Grocers and lives in Indian Hills, Colo., with her husband, daughter, and two cats, Techno and Digit.
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