Okanagan Humane Society seeking fosters for cats, SPCA also overwhelmed

It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it.

Becky Huber has been fostering a group of adorable kittens for the past two months after they were found by the Okanagan Humane Society.

The kittens came from a colony of 60, found on Leathead Road in Rutland.

The Okanagan Humane Society, a registered charity that is volunteer-run says over the past few months they have seen an influx of stray cats and kittens.

"People leave them behind when they move, people just can't take care of them anymore and they are left to fend for themselves. Lots of people are just not spaying and neutering their animals which is something that is very important that they need to do," Huber said.

OHS says more fosters are needed.

'We are not government funded. We don't have a shelter per-say so the fosters basically are the shelter."

"Right now we have over 100 cats in care so that is a lot of fostering that we need to find places for these cats to go on their way to the journey of being in their forever home," said volunteer foster coordinator Charity Dickinson.

"I really think more people should do it and open their homes. They are really not a lot of work. It is so very rewarding when you get to find them a home and know that they are going to be taken care of," Huber added.

The BC SPCA says their shelters are also overwhelmed with a large number of cats.

From June 20 to 30, the BC SPCA is offering 50 per cent off adult cat adoption fees, in an attempt to free up space for new incoming animals.

“Our shelters are overwhelmed with cats as we’ve been responding to many cases this year where up to 100 cats are being rescued at one time from hoarding situations,” said Lorie Chortyk, general manager of communications for the BC SPCA.

“COVID, the rising cost of living and mental health challenges are all playing a role in this increased need for help. We encourage anyone who has been thinking about adopting a pet to take advantage of this promotion. You will not only be providing a loving home for a deserving animal, but it will also allow us to create the capacity to help more abused and neglected animals,” Chortyk added.