Chuck Springer loves cats.

Since 1999, the Lynnwood resident has accepted more than 150 cats into his home through the foster care program run by the Progressive Animal Welfare Society, 15305 44th Ave. W.

“I like dogs a lot, too,” he said. “My lifestyle is just better suited to cats.”

Springer, 51, is a Boeing Co. engineer, working on the 787 Dreamliner program. He’s put in more than 50 hours a week on the project.

In spite of his workload, Springer makes a point of volunteering at PAWS, 4-7 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, a shift he’s maintained for years.

“He’s definitely one of the volunteers we send our special cases to,” said Sheri LaVigne, foster care coordinator.

She said the agency, which runs a shelter for dogs and cats as well as a wildlife rehabilitation center, has 100 active foster parents and nearly 800 volunteers.

Springer’s adopted three foster cats as his own and says he’s fostered “a few amputees” as well.

“I like animals a lot,” he said. “I like to see success stories.”

Right now, PAWS is looking for volunteers to be foster parents for cats, especially because spring and summer are the seasons when the cat population jumps, said public affairs director Mary Leake Schilder.

She said the organization receives an average of 175 cats a month, but that number can reach more than 200 monthly during busy months.

“We’re just inundated with cats and kittens right now,” she said.

For more information about volunteering with PAWS, call (425) 787-2500 or visit the Web site, www.paws.org. and find the link to the foster care program.