Community support is being sought for kittens that have overwhelmed staff and volunteers at the Vernon SPCA.
The Haney Road shelter currently has more than 60 kittens in its care.
“Many are so young they require bottle feeding and a lot of one-on-one attention,” said Corinne Ross, shelter manager.
“It is overwhelming for staff and volunteers to deal with so many kittens on top of the demands of an already full shelter.”
The SPCA is in need of donations, foster families and permanent homes for the kittens.
The influx of kittens is being blamed on pet owners not being responsible,
“Each year we have the challenge of caring for, and finding homes for, hundreds of unwanted kittens because cat guardians refuse to spay and neuter their pet,” said Ross.
“This is a basic step of responsible pet guardianship and easily prevents so many unwanted litters in our community.”
Residents wanting to surrender animals are urged to meet with shelter staff to provide background information on the cats.
“We want to provide the best care possible for these animals and having as much information as possible about their background and health is very important,” said Ross.
“When animals are abandoned or just dumped at the shelter door, it puts the animals in jeopardy and we lose the opportunity to gather the information we need.”
In a case this week, Ross stepped outside the shelter door to find a box with three eight-week-old kittens inside.
The white kittens – who have been named Sami, Kesler and Burrows in honour of the Vancouver Canucks – were suffering in the heat.
“There were cars in the parking lot and someone in the office, yet someone just left the kittens in a box outside in the blazing sun,” said Ross.
“We urge people who feel they must surrender their animals to please do so in a responsible way so we can all work together to give these animals the best possible chance.”
To donate to the SPCA or to find out about adoptions, call 250-549-7297 or visit the shelter at 4800 Haney Rd.
