SPCA struggles to find foster homes in case of flooding along N.B. river

​The Arthurette SPCA is asking people to open their homes to cats in need of a place to stay amid concerns the Tobique River may swell.

The shelter is located between Perth-Andover and Plaster rock and is prone to flooding. Last year there was more than three inches of water in the basement and they’re predicting this year may be worse.

“There’s nothing we can do to prevent this,” says shelter volunteer Shelley Dionne.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "There's nothing we can do to prevent this," says shelter volunteer Shelley Dionne.

“We never really know what will happen with the spring run off, the thaw and the flow of the river. The course of the river has been altered over the last few years and there has been flooding here at the shelter.”

READ MORE: New Brunswick launches 2019 River Watch program

About 40 cats live at the shelter until they find their forever homes. The shelter is run solely by volunteers.

With milder temperatures and rain in the forecast, all eyes are on local waterways. The New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) is keeping a close eye on snow pack, dams and rivers as we transition into spring.

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EMO is reminding people to stay clear of local waterways as ice begins to break up — with fast-moving water beneath.

WATCH: New Brunswick flood waters force raw sewage into Kennebecasis River

1:55 New Brunswick flood waters force raw sewage into Kennebecasis River

Many are on high alert after the province saw historic water levels last year.  Some were drawn to the St. John River in Hartland, home of the world’s longest covered bridge, where ice jamming was occurring.

“The ice is melting, which is good, running away, which is really good, but regardless as to what it does, if it starts moving and jamming, it’ll be flooding,” explained Judy Martin, who was out for a walk with her granddaughter Kasie Sutherland.

“There’s more water you can see because there’s not as much ice in some places,” added Sutherland.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "There's more water you can see because there's not as much ice in some places," added Sutherland.

READ MORE: Maugerville flood victims living in trailers as rebuilding continues more than 7 months later

EMO wants people living in flood-prone areas to take the necessary precautions, including moving possessions to higher ground and keeping a watchful eye on waterways.

The River Watch program is in effect to provide information on the status of flood prone areas across the province over the coming weeks, updates are available online.