It’s that season again.
The one that brings in waves of fluffy, four-legged cute-tens. And while Marika Donnelly is an animal lover, this time of year equates to her worst nightmare.
“Kitten season is about to hit,” Squamish’s SPCA branch manager said. “We have more than 20 kittens right now and I know of three litters that are expected to come in.”
At this rate, Donnelly anticipates this year’s number of kittens will surpass that of last year. In 2013, the branch housed 311 animals, most of which were cats. On average the local organization deals with more than 70 kittens per year.
“Every year our animal number count climbs,” Donnelly said, noting the branch has already had to transfer some of its kittens to Vancouver to be housed.
As the number of residents in the Sea to Sky Corridor increases, so does the number of animals that end up at the shelter, she said. The region does not have a low-cost spay and neuter program because of a lack of funding, Donnelly added.
In May, the SPCA launched a new five-year plan with a primary focus on felines. The SPCA has invested millions in low-cost spay and neuter programs, but more needs to be done, the society’s chief executive officer Craig Daniell said in a statement.
Municipalities can take steps to reduce the number of homeless cats, including introducing mandatory pet identification so that cats can be returned to their guardians if they get lost.
Officials can also enact bylaws that require spaying and neutering of cats with outdoor access, Daniell noted.
“Pet overpopulation is a completely preventable problem and we are challenging every community in B.C. to work with us over the next five years to be part of the solution,” he said.
The Squamish SPCA hopes to help fund more programs with its second annual Whiskers and Wine fundraiser. The event takes place on Friday, June 20, at 7:30 p.m. at the Brackendale Art Gallery.
Appetizers and desserts will be provided by Two Birds Eatery. Wine and beer will be poured and local band The Blinking Fish will keep the party rocking. Participants can also feast their eyes on the items in a silent auction.
Tickets cost $25. They can be purchased at the SPCA branch, the Garibaldi Veterinary Hospital and the Eagleview Veterinary Hospital.
“All proceeds go to the animals in the shelter,” Donnelly said.
