Officials with the Squamish branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) are seeking the public's help in locating the person or persons responsible for barricading a cat inside a culvert in Brackendale.
In a statement issued on Friday (March 9), SPCA officials said a District of Squamish official found a tortoiseshell cat, approximately three years old, on Tuesday (March 6) inside a five-foot-long, eight-inch-wide culvert running underneath a recreational pathway across Squamish Valley Road from the Squamish landfill.
The culvert had been deliberately blocked off with wood, bark and rocks, Marika Donnelly, Squamish SPCA supervisor, said in the statement. Inside was the terrified cat.
After the situation was reported at around 9 a.m., SPCA officials set a live trap near the culvert and within three hours, the animal which they are calling Libby was in their care. The cat, which was described as emaciated, was immediately given fluids and examined by a veterinarian.
We suspect that she may have been abandoned in the densely wooded area for some time before she was discovered because she has severe hair loss on 60 per cent of her body and is covered in scabs and open wounds, Donnelly said.
In spite of the ordeal, Libby appears to be recovering and as of late Friday, weighed approximately seven pounds about 1 pounds more than when she was captured, Donnelly told The Chief.
She was extremely frightened and stressed, but once we took her into care, her demeanour totally changed. She is friendly and loving and seemed so grateful to see friendly faces, she said.
She has a wonderful, feisty attitude and a ravenous appetite so we are hopeful that she will make a full recovery and that someone will come forward to offer her a home. I am just baffled as to why anyone would deliberately leave a beautiful cat to die like that.
Donnelly said that if the person or persons responsible are found, they could be charged under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. If convicted, those responsible could face jail time, fines and/or a prohibition on owning animals, she said.
In addition to information about the matter, local SPCA officials are seeking donations for Libby's ongoing care and for other animals in need. To provide information or to find out how you can donate, please phone (604) 898-9890.
