Last week, the Washington Humane Society launched the very cute “Catnado” promotion to highlight the very serious issue of cat overcrowding at its shelters. To sweeten the deal (as if getting a cat isn’t sweet enough), adoption fees were waived through Saturday. Happily, the campaign was a success.

According to ChristieLyn Diller, the Washington Humane Society’s director of marking and communications, 45 cats were adopted from Wednesday to Saturday. There are eight adoptions pending, bring “Catnado’s” total toll to 53 cats.

But just because the promotion is over, doesn’t mean the Washington Humane Society’s woes are. During the same period when the 53 cats went out, 78 cats and kittens came in, some as owner surrender’s and others as strays, Diller said.

“This is just a small snapshot of the situation we deal with every day; the simple fact that more animals come into our system than are being adopted out,” Diller said. “So we will continue to do what we do best, push aggressively for people to adopt and foster, and to be sure that when anyone in our community is looking for a new pet, that adoption is always the first option.”

Check out adoptable pets here.

Courtesy Washington Humane Society.