When animal care staff finished their feeding rounds early one morning, they immediately noticed something was wrong. Lined up outside the entrance of the animal centre were a number of plastic crates. They were taped shut, silent, and unmistakably heavy, but no one had alerted the team. They had simply been abandoned there.

As staff began to open them, their worst fears became reality. Inside were many concerned eyes looking back at them, with several cats packed into each crate. There were 32 frightened creatures in total, and the centre was already full…

Now these cats need your help and kindness to set them on a brighter path.

With limited space, stretched resources, and no warning, the team had to act fast to ensure every one of these cats was safe. They immediately started moving them from the plastic containers into proper pet carriers, at which point, they realized sadly one of the cats had already passed away.

This was an unprecedented situation; the largest number of animals left at a BC SPCA animal centre that staff can recall. Yet, as we always do, this committed team went above and beyond to ensure these vulnerable animals received the care they desperately needed.

It took staff seven hours to triage all the cats, check each of them over and put together temporary housing. In moments like this, teams must get creative, and they set up dog crates to house these kitties before some could be transferred to another centre via the BC SPCA Drive for Lives program.

Normally we have advanced notice of a large intake like this, and we can make a plan to move animals across the province to ensure every animal has the space and attention they need. When these cats appeared on our doorstep, we already had more than 50 animals in care at that one animal centre alone. It was a lot to manage.

If you’re able to, please make a kind donation towards the care of these cats and other animals who need urgent help. Your love is their lifeline when they are most in need.

While some from this group are under socialized and a little fearful, most are very friendly. As soon as anyone enters the cat area where their kennels are, these kitties start a chorus calling out for attention. As staff and volunteers approach them individually, they each softly blink their eyes and flop over, looking for love and scritches. There’s lots of “biscuit making” which puts a smile on all of our faces!

For those who are more anxious, the team are gently working to make them comfortable around people, but we’re confident they’ll get there with the right support and time.

Many of these cats have tested positive for the parasite coccidia, which requires a number of stages of treatment. From a course of medication, as well as multiple baths for each cat to ensure they won’t be reinfected. It was a lot to handle with so many animals and some of the more anxious cats needed medication to keep them calm during the process.

Thanks to the compassion of people like you, we can ensure each cat receives the care and attention they need before they are ready to start their next chapter with a forever family.

Please make a loving contribution today to provide these cats, and others like them, with the best chance possible of a happy future.

This life-saving safety net of care is only possible thanks to the kind generosity of people like you.

All funds raised will protect vulnerable animals, and mobilize communities so animals and people can thrive together, by helping where the need is greatest.