Islip animal shelter plans National Cat Day Oct. 29

The Islip Town animal shelter is celebrating National Cat Day on Oct. 29 with free cat adoptions, waiving its usual $65 adoption fee.

The shelter's nonprofit volunteer division -- Live. Love. Bark -- will pay cat adoption fees for town residents who file an adoption application for a cat on Oct. 29. Processing fees will still apply.

Interested potential pet owners who live in a rental home must provide a notarized letter from their landlords confirming they are allowed to have a cat.

"It is vital that the Town celebrate National Cat Day this year to help raise awareness that there are countless cats and kittens in need of homes," Islip Town Receiver of Taxes Alexis Weik said in a news release. "This adoption promotion aims to get more potential adopters in the doors. . . . "

The shelter also said it will not adopt out any black cats from Oct. 25 until after Halloween. Town residents interested in adopting a black cat can still file an adoption application on Oct. 29 to qualify for the promotion, and the cats will be able to go home after Nov. 5.

The shelter has about 20 cats available for adoption. Photos of the animals are posted on the shelter's Facebook page at facebook.com/islipanimals. Potential pet owners are also invited to meet the cats at the shelter, at 210 S. Denver Ave. in Bay Shore.