PORT HURON TOWNSHIP (AP) -- Animal protection officials overrun with cats in Michigan's Thumb area are hoping to increase feline adoption by lowering the cost of taking one home.

Officials have lowered the cat adoption fee from $120 to $75, including vaccinations and spaying or neutering.  The price reduction is aimed at helping the organization better handle the spate of felines that, during the first nine months of the year, has brought about 1,700 cats to the Port Huron Township facility.

Officials say 81 cats were adopted, 33 were reclaimed and 96 died because of health conditions. That means 1,492 cats await euthanasia.

Humane law enforcement officer Scott Foerster says the cats are "ready to go home and be given lots of love and be spoiled."

If you're interested in giving one of these cats a home, visit the St. Clair County Humane Law Enforcement website. 

(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)