News Photo by Julie Riddle Alpena teenager Anna Misiak snuggles the ragdoll cat she adopted Monday night as the Huron Humane Society works to empty its shelter.

ALPENA — Cats and kittens are being swept up this week as the Huron Humane Society powers through Empty the Shelter Week, a nationwide effort sponsored by a vacuum cleaner company.

The makers of Bissell cleaners are paying most of the adoption fee for animals taken home from shelters across the country in an effort to match furry friends with new homes, and Alpena’s Huron Humane Society is hoping the week ends with an almost-empty shelter.

Shelter staff take care of the animals, but, “nothing compares to being in a home,” said Kaitlyn Tree, office manager at the Humane Society.

A week ago, 40-plus animals called the shelter home. Many animals have been matched with a new family (“Or, as I say, furmily,” Tree said), and only 21 adoptable cats and one kitten remain at the shelter.

There’s a waiting list for new arrivals, Tree said, and dogs and at least 10 more cats are expected soon.

Because of coronavirus-related restrictions, many humans are spending a lot of time at home, making it an excellent time to adopt an animal, Tree said. Many of the shelter animals are young and adaptable to a new environment.

Adoptions are being scheduled in 30-minute increments, so the adopter can be alone in the facility, a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus. Every adoption comes with a free mask, Tree said.

With economic times being tough, the shelter understands people may need help taking care of their pet. A pet food pantry at the shelter offers treats and food, available for curbside pickup for those who need it, no questions asked. The shelter also takes owner surrenders and is available to answer questions and offer help for making it through a tough time while caring for a pet.

With a young ragdoll cat snuggled in her arms on Monday evening, Anna Misiak, 15, was eager to introduce a new furry friend to her home after having to put another pet to sleep only two weeks ago. It wasn’t too soon to add another animal to their lives, she told her mother, who surprised Misiak with the trip to the shelter.

It’s nice to have a companion, especially at a time when we’re all cooped up in our homes, Misiak said, as other cats meowed and paced in cages behind her.

“We’re all probably feeling a little bit like them,” she said.

Cats are available for a base adoption fee of $25 this week, far less than the $125 usually asked for kittens, or $100 for cats. Animals available for adoption can be viewed at the shelter’s website. As kitten season approaches, committed volunteers are also sought to foster kittens too young to be adopted out.