NANAIMO — Eight kittens and adult cats are now under the care of the BC SPCA after being surrendered earlier this month.
An animal protection officer took custody of the animals on April 10 from a property in Nanaimo, with the incident stemming from an investigation into irresponsible breeding practices.
Eileen Drever, the SPCA’s senior officer of protection and stakeholder relations said they first learned of a potential situation from someone who’d purchased a kitten from the local breeder.
“Not only did this breeder deny the buyer entry into their home to see the breeding area, but the kitten they brought out smelled strongly of urine and had fleas crawling into their mouth and eyes.”
Checks at a local veterinary clinic of the purchased kitten showed both live fleas and “excessive” flea dirt on the animal, along with a bloated abdomen and dark discharge and debris in the ears and eyes.
The usually routine vaccinations for kittens were delayed, as recommended by the veterinarian, until the kitten recovered under the care of its new home.
An April search of the home by SPCA officers yielded full litter boxes, scattered cat feces on the floor and a strong smell of ammonia.
Investigators found no visible kitten food for the remaining kittens, who were eight weeks old at the time.
Cats living at the property were found to be in poor condition and living with little to no food and in badly soiled rooms. (submitted photos/BC SPCA)Four kittens and four adult cats were surrendered to the animal protection officer by the breeder.
“All the kittens had similar issues to what was reported to the BC SPCA’s Animal Helpline. They were also hungry and malnourished,” Drever said. “[The four adult cats] were covered in live fleas with severe flea allergy dermatitis and skin infections. One of the adult females had two mammary cysts that will need to be removed when she is spayed.”
Drever added the cats arrived at a local facility “scared and untrusting”, but progress is being made.
“Three of the four kittens will let staff pet them and they are starting to purr.”
The SPCA is reminding potential pet owners to spot the signs of an irresponsible breeder, including not allowing people into their home or animal care facility to see how the animals are living.
If any animals are spotted in distress, they should be reported to the SPCA’s animal helpline at 1-855-622-7722.
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