Asking for help takes real courage, especially for someone who loves their animals deeply. Recently, one overwhelmed owner did just that, realizing they could no longer manage the number of animals in their care. They thought there were around 30 cats living in their small home, but it turned out to be more than 60!

Over recent weeks, one BC SPCA animal centre has been supporting the cats’ guardian to bring all of the animals into our care. As you can imagine, providing support for such a large group – regardless of their health – requires extra hands, space, food, and resources. If you’re in a position to contribute to the care of these cats, kittens and others like them, please make a kind donation today.

Unfortunately, situations like this are not uncommon. What started with good intentions, love and care, quickly spiraled into overcrowding in one small home. The numbers grew faster than anyone realized, and the full scale only became clear once this compassionate guardian sought help. That difficult decision, born of deep love for their animals, changed everything for these cats and kittens. I am so grateful they are now able to receive the attention and space they need.

With none of these animals spayed or neutered, it’s no surprise things escalated quickly. Cats can start having kittens when they are just five to nine months old, and can have up to two litters a year. Within 12 months, one cat could have 8-12 kittens. This situation really highlights the importance of spaying and neutering your pets.

Despite the crowded conditions, it’s clear these animals have only known love in their lives. They’re incredibly friendly, leaning into caregivers for pets, and are extremely social with each other. Many of the older cats have become surrogate mothers to the youngest kittens – some just weeks old. It would warm your heart to see. The team has even struggled to match kittens to moms, as raising the babies has definitely been a community effort for this group!

As with all animals who enter our care, each cat’s needs were carefully assessed on intake, and they will all be spayed or neutered before they are adopted by their forever families. Some have been able to move through our care fairly quickly and have already found loving homes. This always marks a big moment of celebration for their care team – another animal safe, healthy and loved.

Given their previous living situation, we will ensure that each cat finds a suitable home, either in pairs or with other cats in the home they can bond with. These kitties are definitely the social type!

As you can imagine, the cost for of their care has grown steadily due to the number of surgeries required, alongside intake exams, shelter and food. Please consider making a caring gift to help these cats and others in need like them.

Thank you for being alongside us as we work towards a B.C. where people and animals can thrive together. Your support, compassion, generosity and care, go far to change lives.

All of the cats and kittens were gifted names from places around the world, including many in Oceania. Here is little Pago Pago!