Last modified: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 2:49 AM EDT People are abandoning cats in record numbers, according to shelter operators. Above, Vito the cat at the Attleboro shelter. (Staff photo by Mike George) Shelter reports receiving record number of cats BY GEORGE W. RHODES SUN CHRONICLE STAFF More cat tales of woe came in Monday after a report in The Sun Chronicle about the growing numbers of friendly felines being abandoned and surrendered in recent months. Angela Frankudakis, founder and president of Angelcat Haven, said her organization took on its greatest number of strays ever in a seven-day period last week. She said Angelcat picked up 15 strays, including three that were abandoned in a carrier on the doorstep of DeWitt Animal Hospital in Plainville. The group also took in a mother cat and four kittens; two cats that were surrendered and five feral felines that were brought in from the wild, she said. "We've been bombarded," Frankudakis said. "We've never taken in this many in one week. And the last month has been the worst of all for surrenders." The number of cats taken in last week surpassed the usual monthly average. Angelcat has taken in 250 felines or an average of 12 per month since it was founded in November of 2006, she said. Frankudakis said 80 percent of Angelcat cats are strays, meaning they once had homes but were put out to fend for themselves, were abandoned or got lost. A web of dedicated volunteers who provide foster homes and adoption services have managed to get 202 of the felines new homes so far, Frankudakis said. Angelcat, which is based in Plainville, has taken cats from as far away as Worcester and Quincy, but is focused on helping felines in Bristol and Norfolk Counties, she said. She said Angelcat is another option, in addition to 10 other area animal care organizations listed in Monday's paper for people who want to surrender a cat. To ask for help or get more information, Angelcat's message line is 508-203-4240; its fax number is 508-643-1999 and its Web site is www.angelcathaven.com. Frankudakis can be reached by e-mail at angela@angelcathaven.com Volunteers and donations are both needed, she said.