iN PHOTOS: SPCA rescues 83 cats in Thompson-Okanagan after owner’s death

The BC SPCA took in 83 cats after their owner died and sent 20 of them to Kamloops for care.

The family of the cats’ deceased owner contacted the BC SPCA about the 83 Persian-mix cats. The Surrey animal centre received 63 of the cats and the remaining 20 were brought to Kamloops, according to a press release.

“Intake and providing care for 83 cats requires a significant investment of resources,” said manager of the BC SPCA Surrey animal centre Layla Gilhooly said in the release. “Especially given their condition, with at least half of them still needing a spay or neuter surgery, various medical treatments, and most requiring significant grooming.”

The cats were rescued somewhere in the Thompson-Okanagan region at the end of April, and SPCA said it wouldn’t be more specific out of respect for the privacy of the deceased owner. 

The cats were in rough shape. There were some who hid under towels and in kennels, and some were quick to open up.

“That’s expected,” she said. “Despite their nervousness, many of the cats were quite friendly during intake – purring, making air biscuits and leaning in for pets.”

Some of the cats had to be shaved since their fur was so matted and that can cause serious discomfort or pain for the animals.

“Some of the cats also had feces matted into their fur,” Gilhooly said.

The cars are being treated for giardia, roundworm and respiratory infections. The giardia treatment involves five days of medication and a bath to remove any eggs left in the cat’s fur so they don’t get reinfected when they clean themselves.

The respiratory infections range from a mild case of eye and nose discharge to more serious cases with severe congestion where the cats’ need to have their noses cleaned regularly.

“Some of the cats also have varying degrees of upper respiratory infection,” Gilhooly said. “Some of the cats are on antibiotics to clear up these infections. We are monitoring a few others to see if they recover by themselves. If their symptoms worsen, we will be taking them to a veterinary clinic for further treatment.”

The cats were also underweight and some have dental problems like broken teeth and gingivitis.

Of the 63 cats in Surrey, 27 have been relocated to other places to find homes and 36 are still with the animal centre.

Some cats will need some more socialization before they can be adopted but others will be up for adoption as early as Wednesday and more the coming weeks.

The cats were transported and cared for with help from the Drive for Lives program and Good Shepherd Barn. 

Click here for the BC SPCA donation page.