‘Very lucky cats’: 12 kittens saved from Saskatoon apartment fire

cats rescued in the apartment fire, recovering in foster care. (Laura Woodward/CTV News)

A litter of kittens is recovering after being rescued from a Saskatoon apartment fire on Thursday.

Fire crews were called to a third-floor balcony fire at 806 Appleby Dr.

No injuries were reported and the cause remains under investigation.

The Saskatoon Fire Department said 12 cats were rescued from a single suite.

Ashlyn Weninger, president of SOS Prairie Rescue, said two cats remain unaccounted for, while the other 10 are recovering in foster care and at the Saskatoon SPCA.

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Weninger said she picked up the cats from a tent in the yard of someone connected to the owners, who had been displaced by the fire.

“They were covered in soot and ash, affecting their eyes and airways,” Weninger told CTV News.

The cats received emergency treatment for smoke inhalation at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, including oxygen and antibiotics.

“These are very lucky cats,” Weninger said, while petting one of the female kittens named Toasted Marshmallow.

SOS Prairie Rescue calls for clear protocol for animals involved in emergencies

Weninger said she only learned about the situation after being tagged in a social media post. She said there needs to be a clear protocol to connect animals with support services after emergencies.

“If we’re capable of calling for other supportive services, we’re perfectly capable of calling for the animals — especially when they’re in distress,” Weninger said.

“Animals are not factored in emergency responses.”

Deputy fire chief Sean Thody said firefighters carry oxygen masks for animals, but the department’s priority hierarchy is people, property and pets.

“For those instances where the people and the property have been taken care of, then we can look after the pets,” Thody said.

All residents of the 24-suite building were evacuated, most were temporarily housed in a hotel.

Weninger said the cats need to get vaccinated, and spayed and neutered before being put up for adoption.