Baltimore area shelters recently launched an ambitious effort to find homes for 500 kitties.

They're off to a good start, but need even more help.

As part of Baltimore 500, an attempt to find families for 500 cats, BARCS,  Maryland SPCA and Baltimore Humane Society are all waiving adoption fees for the month of June. Plus, six local vet clinics are offering free exams to cats adopted from these shelters.

According to Aileen Gabbey. executive director of the SPCA, from June 1 through June 10, the organizations found homes for 178 cats and kittens. She says they just on pace to reach their goal.

"We know we need to keep encouraging people," she told Unleashed. "Actually, last weekend, we put a volunteer at the base of our driveway at the SPCA dressed in racing gear, holding a sign, and dancing to encourage people to visit! It was like the ‘Lady Liberty’ dressed up on York Road at tax time. We’re doing it again this weekend from 12-2."

An adorable kitty relaxes in the morning sun on a terrace near Kiel, northern Germany, on June 1. AP Photo/Heribert Proepper.