A large number of cats and kittens were surrendered to the BC SPCA in Kelowna following an animal protection investigation.
According to the BC SPCA’s Eileen Drever, the mother and kittens were found “hiding in the garage” on the Kelowna property.
One of the many cats rescued by the animal welfare organization on Sept. 8 was a five-week-old kitten who has affectionately been named Guppy by staff.
“The animal protection officer noticed a significant abnormality in the kitten’s legs right away, which required immediate veterinary care,” Drever explained through a media release.
“After the cats came into the animal centre, the kitten was brought to a veterinary clinic for an examination where they determined the issue with his legs was a congenital deformity, most likely caused by how he was positioned in the uterus.”
According to the BC SPCA, uncontrolled and unintentional breeding have become one of the top reasons animals are surrendered, and this is an example of that.
Drever says the owner of these cats has others on the property who will also be surrendered and they’re all the offspring of the same mother, increasing the possibility of inbreeding.
.jpg)
“The adult cats have not been spayed or neutered, so the owners have become overwhelmed with litters of kittens,” she noted. “This particular mother has had over 30 kittens.”
Drever adds that this owner is not breeding cats to sell, but the unwanted litters were a result of the felines not being spayed or neutered.
“It’s important for those welcoming a new cat to their home to know that cats can reach sexual maturity as early as four months of age,” she explained.
The mother was named Coral by staff at the Kelowna animal centre and manager Shannon Paille says she was “clearly stressed” when brought in, but warmed up once the intake assessment began.
While the majority of the cats are in good health, Paille says Guppy will require ongoing care.
“The veterinary staff conducted a series of X-rays,” she said. “The kitten’s two front legs have been gently splinted to try to straighten them.”
Staff are doing everything possible to help the young kitten, but his long-term prognosis is still unknown.
“Our hope is the splints will work, but we won’t know until he has another examination at the vet clinic,” added Paille. “Guppy is so young, there is still some question about the development of the bone in one of the legs.”
She says the brave and determined kitten does not let his splints hold him back from exploring his kennel and he’s working very hard to figure out how to move around with them.
Both Coral and the healthy kittens will be ready for adoption in three to four weeks.
Anyone who wants to support the BC SPCA financially to care for these cats and other animals in need can do so through this link.
