Raffi is one of two surviving animals rescued from the back of a pickup truck in the South Okanagan.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED / SPCA
November 30, 2019 - 3:30 PM
The South Okanagan-Similkameen SPCA is reminding pet owners not to leave their animals outside after three of five cats who lived in a wire crate in the back of a pickup truck died.
Police received a complaint about the cats, which lived in a wire crate in the back of a pickup truck for about two months. Officers on the scene said one of the cats had already died and the other four were forced to live in their own feces and urine. SPCA animal protection officers took the cats to the South Okanagan-Similkameen branch, where it was determined that two were unable to be saved.
That left one healthy cat, Kasey, and one sick cat, Raffi, who is in need of extensive care.
According to the SPCA, Raffi will need entropion surgery on his lower eyelids and oral surgery to fix his teeth and repair a lesion on his lower canine tooth. He has also been treated for skin irritation caused by urine scald.
“Raffi is very affectionate and has a loud purr and loves to play. He will be so happy to be able to open his eyes and see again after his surgery,” said South Okanagan-Similkameen branch manager Carolyn Hawkins.
Hawkins said Raffi needs four-weeks of recovery before he is available for adoption. His cost of care will reach about $1,580. The SPCA is also accepting pet and cleaning supplies to care for animals in need.
“This time of year we see a sharp increase in the number of calls about domestic and farm animals who are in distress in outdoor situations,” said Eileen Drever, senior BC SPCA protection and stakeholder relations.
“One of the most common situations we encounter is dogs who are tethered outdoors in sub-zero temperatures. Animals are safest indoors, but if you must keep an animal outside, ensure shelter is off the ground, insulated from the cold and drinking water is not frozen.”
Anyone who suspects an animal is in distress is asked to call 1-855-622-7722.
–This story was updated at 9 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 1 to correct a typo.
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