Three cats have been rescued after they were found shivering, starving and alone in an extremely filthy motor home in B.C.
The BC SPCA said officers went to the motor home in Prince George earlier this month, after a concerned caller alerted them to the abandoned animals.
Eileen Drever, senior officer BC SPCA protection and stakeholder relations, estimated the animals may have been living alone in the motorhome for more than five weeks, and only survived by licking moisture from the ice that had formed inside the freezing cold space.
“There was no food or water to be found,” she said.
“Sadly, a fourth sweet kitty was found shivering, emaciated and dehydrated underneath the trailer. Her health issues were so severe that she had to be humanely euthanized when she arrived at the vet.”
The three other cats are now being cared for by SPCA’s North Cariboo District branch. The felines are being treated for the chronic effects of prolonged dehydration and starvation.
The cats were rescued after they were found shivering, starving and alone in an extremely filthy motor home in B.C. Photo: BC SPCA“We aren't sure if they are going to survive, but are doing everything we can for them,” Drever wrote in a release.
The SPCA is now calling for donations to help care for the cats.
Earlier this month, the SPCA sent out a warning to pet owners strongly recommending that animals be kept indoors during cold winter weather, following a tragic case of animal cruelty. Three cats died in late November in South Okanagan after being left in the cold in the back of an open truck in a wire crate.
“This time of year we see a sharp increase in the number of calls about domestic and farm animals who are distress in outdoor situations,” Drever said.
“One of the most common situations we encounter is dogs who are tethered outdoors in sub-zero temperatures. Animals are safest indoors, but if you must keep an animal outside, ensure shelter is off the ground, insulated from the cold and drinking water is not frozen.”
Tips to keep animals safe in winter
While the BC SPCA is opposed to keeping animals permanently outdoors, it does acknowledge some people still house their dogs in this manner, so it has offered tips on how to keep pets safe:
• The animal must have shelter protecting them from cold, windy, and damp conditions; the protection must be appropriate to their weight and coat.
• The shelter provided should also be elevated, insulated, and regularly cleaned.
• You should also ensure your four-legged friend has enough clean, potable drinking water that has not frozen over.
• If you happen to have stray and community cats living nearby, there are also a number of ways to keep them safe this winter.
Find more tips on cold weather safety on the BC SPCA website or if you suspect an animal in distress, call 1-855-622-7722.
