The SPCA in Wellington is hoping to combat overcrowding with a new adoption technique.
It's made today - Friday the 13th - "adopt a black cat" day.
In a bid to deal with over 400 cats in the Newton and Kapiti centres, the SPCA is hoping to adopt out as many cats as possible today at various spots around Wellington.
SPCA spokesman James Craw says the overcrowding at this time of year is a nationwide trend.
"We see the same thing happening around the country where litters are born in a follow up cycle from March."