March 6th, 2012
The Penticton Western News has reported the SPCA South Okanagan branch has been inundated with pets who are injured, sick and orphaned. SPCA officials are pleading for help from the general public.
Making an already busy year even busier has been the recent seizure of thirty abandoned pets from three abandoned properties.
According to the SPCA, at the first location five small puppies were found encrusted in their own feces and urine.
At a second location, twenty-one cats were left behind by a tenant who left without notice and found by the landlord. Many of the cats have severe eye infections, with many already blind.
At the third location, a rabbit was found suffering as it’s fur was stuck to the cage, making it nearly unable to move.
Branch manager Tracy Westmoreland asks, “How can people do this (to abandon pets)?…“If you find the answer, let me know because this is heartbreaking to see.”
The SPCA regularly finds animals that include strays and surrenders from people moving, and situations of compassionate care where pets are taken in when owners are sick or in the hospital.
However, particularly unsettling to the manger is the increase of cases where the pets are left behind.
“I don’t know if there are more tenants moving out and leaving their landlords without paying bills, but certainly there seems to be more people skipping out on their animals,” said Westmoreland. “We want people to remember we are here.”
As well as the additional strain on the SPCA’s financial resources, they receive no government support, the increased workload on the limited staff and support workers is substantial.
“We really do need as much help as possible to care for these stray and unwanted animals,” said Westmoreland. “We’re desperately looking for more volunteers, especially in the morning with the cats.”
“We have so many wonderful animals who desperately want to be part of a family.”
To view animals for adoption, visit spca.bc.ca/adopt or go to the Penticton shelter from noon to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
To make a donation to help the animals, please visit spca.bc.ca/support, call 250-493-0136 or mail to the B.C. SPCA South Okanagan/Similkameen Branch, 2200 Dartmouth Drive, Penticton, B.C. V2A, 7W7.
