SPCA shelters overwhelmed with cats needing homes

It may be the dogs days of summer, but it’s cats and kittens who are urgently needing homes, according to the BC SPCA.

“This is always a busy time for our shelters, but this summer we are especially overwhelmed with incoming cats and kittens,” said Lorie Chortyk, spokesperson for the B.C. SPCA. “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 noted that when cats come in from neglectful situations, they often require extensive behaviour modification and care before they are ready for adoption. “This means these animals are in our care much longer and we are challenged to find space in our facilities and foster homes for other cats coming in.”

The SPCA is currently caring for 1,283 homeless felines (485 adults cats and 798 kittens) across B.C.