PITTSBURGH -- After animal control officers rescued nearly two dozen cats from a home where a 2-year-old boy was allegedly burned by a space heater, shelters make room for all the new arrivals.

So far, 29 cats have been rescued from the house in Marshall-Shadeland, and taken into protective custody by Animal Friends.

“Our biggest challenge in Pittsburgh right now, for all three shelters… space for them. There’s not space for any more cats,” said Animal Friends’ Kathy Hecker.

Some blame the cat congestion on the poor economy.

“People are surrendering animals,” said Officer Christine Luffey. “They don’t have the money to feed them.”

The problem is also due to a lack of owners spay and neutering their pets.

“If owners would use resources, get spayed or neutered, there wouldn’t be more cats than available homes,” said Hecker. “Animal Friends is working hard to make low cost spay and neuter services.”

As Pittsburgh’s only no-kill shelter, Animal Friends fosters out its cats and dogs when it hits over capacity.