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Rescued kitten in East Kelowna. (Image Credit: Okanagan Humane Society)
By Vernon Matters Staff
High-tech Rescue

AirTag helps rescuers track down missing kittens in East Kelowna

Apr 28, 2026 | 10:27 AM

Call it a high-tech rescue.

A mother cat and her newborn kittens are safe and recovering after rescuers in the Okanagan used an AirTag to track down the hidden litter in a forested area of East Kelowna.

The Okanagan Humane Society says a pregnant stray cat was first spotted on April 15, prompting a search effort by a local rescuer who spent about a week trying to locate both the animal and any offspring.

On April 23, volunteers were able to safely contain the mother cat. She had already given birth and concealed her kittens nearby. In an effort to locate them, rescuers attached an AirTag to the mother before releasing her back into the area.

The plan worked. The cat returned directly to her kittens, allowing volunteers to recover the litter and bring them into care. The four kittens were transported to a veterinary partner, where they were treated for a range of health issues, including respiratory illness, open wounds and a broken leg that required a splint.

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The Okanagan Humane Society says the animals are now in foster care and will require several months of recovery and vaccinations before they are ready for adoption.

The organization says the case highlights growing demand for its services, with thousands of animals now entering its care each year as it works to rescue, treat and rehome vulnerable pets across the region.

by Vernon Matters Staff
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