Guppy the kitten was rescued in Kelowna on Sept. 8, 2025.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED / BC SPCA
September 18, 2025 - 10:28 AM
A mama cat and her kittens were rescued in Kelowna earlier this month, and one of the kittens had some serious issues with his legs.
The five-week-old kitten named Guppy was surrendered to the BC SPCA with his mom, Coral, and six siblings on Sept. 8, according to a press release from the BC SPCA issued today, Sept. 18.
The cats were found during an animal protection investigation and the owner decided to surrender them.
Senior protection officer Eileen Drever said Guppy’s legs were a top priority for the BC SPCA’s veterinarian.
“The mother and kittens were found hiding in the garage on the property. The animal protection officer noticed a significant abnormality in the kitten’s legs right away, which required immediate veterinary care,” Drever said in the release. “After the cats came into the animal centre, the kitten was brought to a veterinary clinic for an examination where they determined the issue with his legs was a congenital deformity, most likely caused by how he was positioned in the uterus.”
Guppy's deformed legs before he was treated by the BC SPCA.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ BC SPCA
The Kelowna animal centre’s manager Shannon Paille said Guppy’s legs are getting straightened out.
"The veterinary staff conducted a series of X-rays. The kitten’s two front legs have been gently splinted to try to straighten them,” Paille said in the release. “We are doing everything possible to help this kitten, but the long-term prognosis is still unknown. Our hope is the splints will work, but we won’t know until he has another examination at the vet clinic. Guppy is so young, there is still some question about the development of the bone in one of the legs.”
She said Guppy’s splints aren’t holding him back and he’s a brave, determined kitten.
“He is working very hard to figure out how to move around with them,” she said.
Guppy bravely pushing onward with leg splints.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ BC SPCA
The rest of the cats are in good health.
The owner of these cats wasn’t breeding them to sell, but they weren’t spayed or neutered so the owner was getting overwhelmed with litters of kittens.
“This particular mother has had over 30 kittens,” Drever said. “All of the cats are the offspring of the same mother, which increases the possibility of inbreeding.”
Drever said unwanted litters are a significant issue.
“It’s important for those welcoming a new cat to their home to know that cats can reach sexual maturity as early as four months of age,” Drever said.
Paille said Coral took a bit of time to get used to the folks helping her kittens.
“Momma cat, who we named Coral, was clearly stressed when she came in, but warmed up once we started the intake assessment,” Paille said in the release. “She was very comfortable with us handling her babies who were vocal but friendly.”
Paille said the family of cats is doing well at the animal centre.
“She is a great mom,” says Paille. “She is always feeding her babies. They are just a lovely, friendly family.”
Click here for the BC SPCA website.
Guppy's siblings are in good health at the Kelowna animal centre.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED / BC SPCA
Coral the mama cat at the Kelowna animal centre.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED / BC SPCA
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