“This is the largest number of animals left at a BC SPCA animal centre that I can recall,” says Marika Donnelly, manager of the BC SPCA Sunshine Coast. “Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for a litter or kittens or a dog to be left outside an animal centre, but to find more than 30 cats is unheard of!”
The plastic containers were taped shut and there were multiple cats in each container. “The cats were left outside of our main gate, as the animal centre was closed at the time. Our staff and volunteers were working at the back of the animal centre and could not see the parking lot when they were dropped off,” says Donnelly. “They were discovered about 20 minutes later and staff immediately started moving the cats from the plastic containers into proper pet carriers. As we were moving them, we realized that sadly one of the cats was deceased.”
Donnelly adds, “Normally we have advance notice with a large intake of animals like this and can make a plan using supports and resources from across the organization which can include transferring animals out of a centre to make room. When these cats appeared on our doorstep, we already had more than 50 animals in our care and only six kennels available. We had to close the animal centre to properly care for these animals and the others.”
It took staff seven hours to triage all the cats and put together temporary housing. “Staff got creative and set up dog crates to house the cats,” says Donnelly. Fifteen of the cats were then transferred to the Surrey animal centre through the BC SPCA’s Drive for Lives program.
“Most of the cats are extremely friendly,” says Layla Gilhooly, manager of the BC SPCA Surrey. “They are currently being housed in kennels in our cat holding facility and, as soon as we open the door, they start a chorus calling out to us. As you walk over to them, most flop over for us looking for some love and attention.”
Gilhooly says some of the cats are under socialized and a little fearful, but the BC SPCA team is working to help make them more comfortable around people. “All the cats were treated for the parasite coccidia, which included baths on the first and last day of their course of medication to remove any remaining cysts in their fur. It took quite a bit of staff time to bathe all 15 of the cats. Although surprisingly most of the cats were quite cooperative!”
Gilhooly notes one of the cats did not urinate for 24 hours, so she was brought to a veterinary clinic. “The veterinarian put her on a course of antibiotics and anxiety-reducing medication,” says Gilhooly.
All the cats have now completed their quarantine period and some will be available for adoption starting December 19. The remaining cats will be available for adoption after they have been spayed and neutered.
“We completely understand how hard it is when someone is faced with the decision of rehoming a pet,” says Kaila Wolf, Senior Director of Media & Internal Communications. “However, we do want to remind the public that abandoning an animal is a crime under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. If you’re struggling with the hard choice of needing to surrender your animal, please call the BC SPCA’s Animal Helpline team or at least speak with the animal centre staff so we can help you but also to ensure the animals receive the care they need right away.” An animal protection file has been opened, and an investigation is currently underway.
