Tabbies, Calicos, Tortoiseshells and more filled multiple kennel rooms at the shelter. The cats and kittens were named after ice cream flavours, such as Butterscotch, Oreo, Butter Pecan, Bubble Gum, Cookies N Cream and Mint Chip.
The felines suffered various conditions, including fleas and intestinal parasites. Some of them had eye conditions requiring eye removal to relieve their discomfort. While it’s not unusual for this many cats to come out of one hoarding situation, when a high volume of cats enters the shelter, they use up valuable space and resources as staff work to rehabilitate and rehome the animals.
Following spay/neuter surgery and associated treatments such as deworming, vaccinations and preventive medications, the cats were ready to be adopted into their loving new homes.
The HBSAPCA mounted a $20,000 fundraising campaign to cover the estimated cost of care of $20,000, or roughly $500 per cat.
The HBSPCA relies on the generosity of donors to support the influx of pets in need like these 39 cats. Each and every one will be matched with a loving home, allowing space for new cats in need to find shelter with us.
Deanna and Elijah had been looking for some time for a companion for their Scottish fold Meeps. They stumbled upon some social media notices from the HBSPCA and …
“It came to our attention that 39 cats were taken in and we knew we had to give one of those kitties a second chance at a new home,” Deanna said. “The moment we saw Mint Chip, we were smitten…We knew we had to apply for him. Luckily, we were accepted for Mint Chip right away!”
The story gets even sweeter.
Deanna received a call from Vansickle Pet Valu in St. Catharines shortly afterward to inform them that they had won their 10 year-anniversary contest and were awarded not only $1,000 for their own spending but $1,000 to donate to a charity of their choice.
Deanna says their spending money has provided Mint Chip with so many toys, treats and goodies to spoil him!
“Immediately I knew that I wanted to choose HBSPCA as my charity of choice to help Mint Chip and all of the other 39 kitties that were rescued,” she said.
“Mint Chip is now home and is settling right in! He’s taken a liking to treats and has been very curious. His favourite activity so far is having a cat nap in his new bed. He is a sweet boy who has our hearts for sure. We will be sure to update you one day in the future,” Deanna writes.
“We hope that this story can encourage others to donate and adopt. We want to say thank you to everyone at the SPCA! Thank you for all that you do for the animals and the community! Thank you for helping us find our newest Furever Friend!"
HBSPCA’s adoptions department reports that 38 of the 39 cats have been adopted to date. The last cat of the bunch, Neapolitan, will be the last to be adopted. He has a scheduled meet and greet later this week, and we are hoping for a furever home match!
Karen Reichheld, HBSPCA’s Director of Animal Care says:
“Stories like the 39 ice cream cats are all too common. A handful of cats can become dozens in a very short time. Overpopulation continues to be an issue. Sanitation and airflow become a factor when many cats are kept together. It’s hard to expect good litter box habits when cats are living in these environments. After all, do we like using a Porta Potty?”
“Respiratory infections, internal and external parasites as well as skin conditions come hand in hand with felines living under hoarding conditions,” she said.
“We ask that everyone be responsible pet owners and spay or neuter their pets. The HBSPCA Companion Animal Hospital has many programs to assist in the overall health and care of owned animals."
Please check out our website https://www.hbspca.com/ to learn more.
And by the way, how do they come up with these cute names for the animals they receive? Karen says
“We have several creative staff that keep an incoming name bank. It’s helpful to use themed names to keep track of groups of animals. We do it frequently.”
The HBSPCA is more than enthusiastic to see such a tragic story come to a sweet ending. Thank you to the many donors who participated in the call for help while the 39 sweet ‘ice cream cats’ were in our care! Without you, we simply would not be able to provide the high standard of care these animals so deserve.
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