Po’ Kitties served 544 cats during 2012, according to the report.

Coffey said the largest intakes came from Polk County at 36 percent, or 1,168 intakes for the year. Columbus makes up 30 percent of the shelter’s intakes within Polk County, Tryon at 15 percent and Mill Spring at 19 percent.

Coffey also said the shelter serves other areas, including parts of Rutherfordton, Landrum, Saluda, Campobello and Gowensville.

FHS took in 81 animals from Rutherfordton last year, 237 from Landrum, 63 from Saluda, 116 from Campobello, one from Gowensville and 39 from other areas, according to the report.

Polk County Commissioner Chair Michael Gage asked about the shelter’s Po’ Kitties program.

Po’ Kitties coordinator Dana Mayer said the program is a trap, neuter, return program and is now the approved method of animal control offices to deal with free roaming cats. She said the cats are usually already being fed by people and any cats that are tame Po’ Kitties tries to remove from the streets and adopt them out.

“We’re basically trying to deal with free roaming cats in a humane way and a way that’s been proven (to succeed),” said Mayer.