'Our vet bills are insane': VOKRA inundated with cats and kittens rescued from hoarder
Volunteers at the Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association already have their hands full with kitten season in full swing – but they just got fuller.
The organization was recently inundated with almost two dozens kittens and cats, some of them pregnant, that were rescued from a hoarding situation, pushing their resources to the brink.
“We had to just sit here and comb all day getting the fleas out. Fleas were jumping directly on them, it was horrifying, actually,” said Karen Duncan, co-founder of VOKRA.
The first few weeks of life for those baby kittens were less than ideal, but luckily, they’re in good hands now.
“Giving them lots of vitamins and lots of food – they were starved as well,” said Duncan.
They were saved just in time too, given the state they were in.
“The kittens wouldn’t have lived I don’t think another day because they were so depleted. They’re so tiny,” said Duncan.
Kittens in need are all part of the day-to-day at VOKRA. Currently, the organization has about 400 felines in its care.
It is especially busy in the spring and summer months, also known as kitten season.
“Every day there have been cats coming in and out of the building constantly,” said Jill Morisset, VOKRA rescue centre manager.
This latest influx added with the persistent need this time of year is putting a strain on already limited resources.
“Our vet bills are insane," said Duncan. "They are really up this year and of course we aren’t able to do a lot of fundraising."
“People just don’t have as much to give I think everybody has been stretched quite thin this year and there are a lot more people reaching out for help,” said Morisset.
Their phones are ringing daily, partly because the pandemic has meant decreased access to veterinary care for some pet owners.
“It's been a tough year for everybody. People have not been getting access to veterinary care – maybe they can't afford it – and cats are not getting fixed right now,” said Morisset
“Cats are being dumped, kittens are being dumped. It's pretty horrific this year,” said Duncan.
Two brother kittens were the latest example.
“They were just screaming their little heads off in the blackberry bushes its pretty obvious that someone just dumped them there to be a little coyote snack, which is horrible,” said Morrisset.
Duncan said monetary donations are needed right now to keep up with the mounting vet and food bills for the kitties.
To donate, visit the VOKRA website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
Blind Sask. boy heading to international braille competition hopes to increase accessibility for visually impaired
A Saskatchewan boy who qualified for an international braille competition in Los Angeles next month hopes he can inspire change in his home province.
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.