B.C. SPCA shelters inundated with cats and kittens

The B.C. SPCA is appealing to the public to look to their local SPCA if they are considering acquiring a cat for a pet.

The SPCA is currently caring for 1,283 homeless felines at its shelters in B.C., including 485 adult cats and 798 kittens, according to a B.C. SPCA media release.

“This is always a busy time for our shelters, but this summer we are especially overwhelmed with incoming cats and kittens,” B.C. SPCA spokesperson Lorie Chortyk says in the release. “In addition to the usual ‘kitten season’, where hundreds of abandoned and unwanted kittens are brought into our care, we have responded to a record number of cruelty investigations involving large intakes of cats and kittens.”

Chortyk says neglected animals often need extensive behaviour modification before that are ready for adoption, which further challenges the agency to find space for the cats at SPCA facilities and in foster homes.

“Many of our shelters are at capacity throughout the province and face overwhelming pressure to take in more animals in need,” Chortyk says. "If anyone is considering bringing a cat or kitten into their home, we urge them to please visit their local BC SPCA branch or view our adoptable animals online."

If you can are looking for a cat to adopt, check out the B.C. SPCA's website here.


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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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