Short Stories in the Shuswap

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The Happy Ending for the Abandoned Cats in Cedar Heights Community
by Gloria Heinzmann

As I was putting the old newspapers into the recycle bin I noticed the heading of The Province, Sunday March 22, paper "RECESSION BITES PET OWNERS". This article prompted me to write this story as people often feel abandonment of pets won't happen in their community/neighbourhood.

In this article, it has stated that pet abandonment in B.C. is the worst it has ever been. The article points out that the SPCA's 37 shelters take in 40,000 animals annually. In Mission, a non profit shelter dealing strictly with cats states in the last 2-3 months there has been a 20 to 25 percent increase in the number of cats surrender and feels many more cats are simply abandoned.

From first hand experience this abandonment does happened in your community. On November 29, 2008 someone drove up our driveway (tire tracks) and dropped off 4 cats — a mother cat and her 3 kittens. They were beautiful cats with mother being black with white on her chest, abdomen and paws and the 3 kittens black.

I phoned the SPCA and they said I could bring them over even though they were already overflowing with cats. My husband and I decided we would try to adopt them out our selves. We spent money on Vet bills to have them vaccinated, treated for ear mites and to be spayed. The Humane Society helped with the spay cost, please donate to them.

They are now ready for adoption but these precious cats have wormed their way into our hearts and are no longer available for adoption — they have a permanent home with us.

The message to everyone is that no animal deserve to be abandoned and you should not be dropping your pet off at another house or on the streets. Pets cannot fend for themselves in the outside world, there are many dangers and most will eventually starve to death. Remember there are animal shelters and they will do their best to find homes for your pet/animal. Also before obtaining an animal ensure you can financially afford one. Pets cost money and remember to include money for neutering/spaying of your pet. In the Shuswap Market News of March 27, SPCA insert stated a single unsprayed cat can produce 470,000 offspring in just seven years. So spaying/neutering is a must when you get a pet and before it is able to get pregnant. Don't think you can find homes for the little ones as SPCA is full of unwanted animals.

As for us we are enjoying our new pets and fortunately we are financially able to look after 4 cats.

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