200+ cats prompt BC SPCA to put out public plea
Posted March 22, 2024 1:57 pm.
The BC SPCA is putting out a call for help, as it looks to take in more than 200 cats and kittens from a northern Interior property.
The society says it received a call from a man in Houston asking for support. The owner reportedly said people have been dumping cats on his property for the last several years.
“The owner, when he was asked how many cats he had, he said — and I’m quoting him — he said, ‘It’s like trying to count bubbles in a boiling pot of water.’ He guesstimates about 280. We’re hoping it’s less than that,” said Eileen Drever, who speaks for the SPCA.
“It is a huge undertaking for the BC SPCA. He has, currently, between 70 and 80 fairly newborn kittens. It’s crucial we get these kittens out of there as soon as possible for their own welfare, and in fact, we need to get them all out as soon as possible and examine them, treat them as necessary, and, hopefully, we’ll find them forever homes.”
Drever says the man started with just two cats a few years ago. That number, however, has rapidly grown.
She explains the owner has been taking care of them but has since become extremely overwhelmed by the volume, noting he recently lost his job.
“It’s really unusual, anytime I have gone into a home or a facility with a large number of cats, they’re fearful, they’re not very sociable, but these cats are social. They come up to you, they’re very affectionate, and also, they’re in good body condition. This fella has been taking good care of the cats, well, as best as he can,” she told CityNews.
“He wants what’s best for the cats.”
As such, the BC SPCA is hoping someone has a facility they can provide to help give the organization space to care for the felines.
“We are looking for a building that we can triage these cats in. Now, that building hopefully is close to Houston. We’re looking to rent the facility, or if it can be donated for a short period of time, that would be wonderful,” she added.
“We can’t do the work that we do without our supporters.”
According to Drever, the last time there was such a large intake of kittens was in the late 1990s.
If the BC SPCA can’t find anywhere to traige the cats in Houston, Drever says the organization could look at Prince George. However, she notes the rental can’t be much farther than that.
In the meantime, Drever says the BC SPCA is providing the current owner with food, litter, and supplies until a space is secured and the organization can take the cats in.
