33 cats, dogs, puppies and kittens surrendered to B.C. SPCA in Nanaimo

A total of 33 dogs, cats, puppies and kittens from one property were surrendered to the B.C. SPCA in Nanaimo between July 17 and 21.

A total of 33 dogs and cats, including 16 puppies and four kittens, are in the care of the B.C. SCPA after their owner surrendered the animals to the organization in poor health.

“This is yet another case where an animal guardian became overwhelmed by the needs of the animals in their care and uncontrolled breeding caused the already large population to grow rapidly,” said Eileen Drever with the B.C. SPCA in a media release Tuesday.

She said the Nanaimo property the animals were living on was littered with urine and feces.

Some of the pit bull mix puppies are as young as three weeks old, but the B.C. SPCA says they are doing well and growing quickly.

“All the animals, including the puppies and kittens, had flea infestations. There was an inadequate amount of food and water for the animals, and it was obvious they had not received veterinary care. Their basic needs were not being met,” Drever said.

All of the pets are receiving flea treatment, the puppies and cats are being treated for parasites, and a veterinarian is monitoring a growing lump on one puppy’s head, according to the charity. One mother dog was very thin and is on a supervised re-feeding plan.

Due to the large intake, the B.C. SPCA sent some to other shelters in the region. Most of the animals are being kept in Nanaimo, but one of the dogs and her 11 puppies are at the qathet centre in Powell River and some of the adult cats are in Parksville.

The youngest puppies will be available for adoption when weaned, in a little over a month, and the other animals will be looking for their forever homes in the coming weeks.