NASHUA -- The foreclosures and evictions in Greater Nashua have one nonprofit working overtime -- the Humane Society for Greater Nashua.

Kitten season has barely begun and the shelter already has doubled the number of cats it had at this time last year. This comes after experiencing an acceptance record of nearly 2,400 animals last year.

This has put an enormous strain on the shelter at the busiest time of year, when cat and kitten numbers reach mind-boggling numbers. The facility, located at 24 Ferry Road, was built 30 years ago for 50 cats and 20 dogs. It currently houses more than 100 animals. Another 40-plus mother cats and kittens await their turn at entering the shelter after they reach 8 weeks of age and 2 pounds.

With 90 percent of supplies donated by the public, the shelter constantly relies on this generosity to provide care for the animals. After these generous donations, it still costs $1,905 each day to run the shelter.

Due to these unexpected record numbers, the Humane Society direly needs:

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* Nonclumping cat litter (any brand). The shelter uses more than 350 pounds a week with this many cats.

* Heavy duty plastic contactor trash bags -- 45 gallon or bigger for all the waste.

* Iams or Science Diet adult chicken canned cat food -- but no beef.

* Canned Iams or Science Diet kitten food. Turkey or chicken is easiest for all cats to digest.

* If you want to help but can't shop, send a gift card to any grocery store or wholesale club and the shelter will do the shopping for you. Because of limited storage space, gift cards also allow the shelter to buy items as needed.

Product donations can be brought to the Humane Society for Greater Nashua anytime at 24 Ferry Road, Nashua. Donations brought after hours can be deposited in its donation shed to the right of the main entrance.

For more information, contact Mark Jesionowski, director of development and public relations, at 603-889-BARK, ext. 7. You can also e-mail mark@hsfn.org or go to www.hsfn.org.