SPCA rescues 19 cats from animal hoarder

TAHSIS, B.C. – The SPCA says it has rescued 19 cats and kittens in distress from an animal hoarder in Tahsis, B.C., on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Spokeswoman Lorie Chortnyk says the felines were suffering from various conditions including wounds, ear mites and diarrhea.

She says the odour of urine, ammonia and feces was overwhelming for staff trying to capture the animals.

All the cats have been transported to an SPCA facility in Comox, where one of them has given birth.

Chortnyk says the SPCA tried unsuccessfully to rescue the animals but issued a search warrant to get the animals out of a woman’s home.

Earlier this month, the organization removed 31 cats and kittens from a home in Port Coquitlam.