Holy cats! Boxes full of felines turned over to Humane Society
The Ottawa Humane Society is awash with cats after 30 young felines were found in two cardboard boxes and two dog crates in the hot sun at a pest-control company.
The company’s staff brought the felines to the humane society Thursday. The cats include some kittens as young as three weeks old and juveniles, as well as a lactating female.
Most of the cats appear to be in good health and all are socialized. However, where they came from is a mystery, said humane society executive director Bruce Roney.
“We don’t have a clue.”
Roney said he was haunted by the idea the cats would be dumped with a pest control company, as though they are pests to be exterminated.
“I don’t know if there was a message here,” he said. “It’s so unnecessary. The OHS is an open-admission shelter. We will help any animal that needs us at any time.”
The cats have been isolated from other felines at the shelter and staff are scrambling to get each vaccinated and assessed. One kitten appeared sick and staff feared the illness could affect the other 29 cats, but the kitten was later diagnosed with motion or heat sickness. Others have since been diagnosed with diarrhea and dehydration.
Some of the cats will be available for adoption as soon as next week, said Roney: “The hope is that we can get these little guys sterilized and ready for adoption fast.”
The number of animals needing care has been slowly rising since warm weather arrived, he said, but it is not yet the peak summer season, when the humane society can see 35 or more animals admitted every day.
“It has been a bit of a jolt. We had to bring in some extra staff,” Roney said. “Suddenly caring for another 30 vulnerable kittens all at once is a big deal. We are just thankful this didn’t happen in July.”