$20K raised in less than a day to help care for 3 kittens found in DTES dumpster last week, SPCA says
Tens of thousands of dollars have been raised in just a few hours to help pay the medical bills of a trio of kittens found in a box in a Vancouver dumpster last week.
A fundraising page launched Friday on the BC SPCA's Medical Emergency website with a goal of $1,500 to pay for the kittens' medical bills. By early afternoon, it had already raised more than 10 times that amount.
"People are so amazing with their generosity," said Lorie Chortyk, general manager of community relations for the BC SPCA.
"We're always just so grateful for people's response."
The extra funds raised to cover the cost of the kittens' veterinary care will be used to help other animals in the SPCA's care that are facing medical emergencies.
The six-week-old cats were found in a box inside a dumpster near the intersection of West Pender and Abbot streets in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, according to SPCA Vancouver branch manager Jodi Dunlop.
The call came in around 10 p.m. on Feb. 10, and the animals were taken directly to an emergency veterinarian for assessment and care.
All three kittens were underweight and flea-infested, and had parasites. One of them had also suffered head trauma and a broken pelvis.
"He arrived struggling to breath with a bleeding eye and blood streaming out of his nose, a truly distressing sight for such a young animal," the SPCA said on its fundraising page.
After eight days in the SPCA's care, all three kittens are doing well, according to Dunlop. They've had their first vaccinations and are in the process of receiving flea and deworming treatments.
Even the injured kitten, who couldn't eat on his own and required hand-feeding, is recovering well. While he may still need surgery to repair his broken pelvis, Dunlop said she was hopeful that wouldn't be necessary, given how his recovery has progressed so far.
The kittens will remain in the SPCA's care for at least another two weeks of monitoring. Once staff are confident that the animals are healthy and have reached an appropriate weight for their age, they'll be spayed and neutered and offered for adoption, Dunlop said.
As of 1:30 p.m. Friday, nearly $20,000 had been raised in the kittens' medical emergency appeal, and more than 350 donors had contributed. Petsecure Pet Health Insurance said it would match the first $3,500 in donations to the campaign, according to the SPCA.
"That's incredible," Dunlop said of the response.
"It goes so far to help other animals in our care … It's wonderful how generous people are."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW This Canadian scientist combines passion for history, archeology and genetics to solve ancient and modern-day DNA puzzles
Turi King takes pride in her work solving ancient and modern-day DNA puzzles – including a centuries-old mystery involving an infamous British king.
Bathroom break nearly derails $22-million project at city council meeting
A brief break during Wednesday's city council meeting in Saskatoon nearly cost the city dearly.
Israeli strikes in central Gaza kill at least 11 as the U.S. pushes a ceasefire plan
Palestinian health officials said Israeli strikes killed 11 people overnight into Monday, including a woman and three children, in central Gaza.
Toyota apologizes for cheating on vehicle testing and halts production of three models
Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda apologized Monday for massive cheating on certification tests for seven vehicle models as the automaker suspended production of three of them.
Do this once a month and extend your life by up to 10 years. No gym required
Research shows that art experiences, whether as a maker or a beholder, transform our biology by rewiring our brains and triggering the release of neurochemicals, hormones and endorphins.
Mexico elects Claudia Sheinbaum as its first woman president
Mexico's projected presidential winner Claudia Sheinbaum will become the first woman president in the country's 200-year history.
Expect the cost of your airfare to continue to rise, an aviation trade group and industry heads warn
The cost of your next flight is likely to go up. That's the word from the International Air Transport Association, which held its annual meeting Monday in Dubai.
United plane undergoing 'deep cleaning' after cruise ship passengers fall ill on Vancouver-Houston flight
A United Airlines plane is being removed from service after several passengers on a flight from Vancouver to Houston, Texas, felt sick.
Robert Pickton stabbed with toothbrush and broken broom handle: victim's family
The family of one of Robert Pickton's victims says the convicted serial killer suffered an incredibly violent death at the hands of another inmate.