A tip from someone who bought a kitten from a Vancouver Island breeder led to an investigation by the B.C. SPCA that found four Ragdoll cats and four more kittens in “shocking condition,” according to the charity.
When the Nanaimo buyer went to the breeder’s home to pick up their eight-week-old kitten, they were denied entry and handed an animal that “smelled strongly of urine and had fleas crawling into their mouth and eyes,” a news release from the B.C. SPCA said.
An examination by a vet revealed numerous issues including a distended abdomen, hair loss, fleas, and scabs. The kitten was “in such poor health” that the vet was unable to proceed with vaccinations until treating its various maladies, according to the organization.
The kitten’s new owner reported the breeder to the charity’s helpline, which triggered an investigation.
“When the animal protection officer visited the home they noticed a strong ammonia odour, full litter boxes and scattered cat feces on the floor,” the statement from the B.C. SPCA said.
“There was no visible kitten food for the remaining eight-week-old kittens. The owner surrendered the remaining cats to the officer.”
All the kittens were malnourished and afflicted with a range of health issues, as were the adult cats. Elieen Drever, the B.C. SPCA’s senior officer of protection and stakeholder relations, said the case is clearly one of an “irresponsible” breeder.
“It is worth repeating, if a breeder will not let you into their home to see how the animals are living, then you should not purchase an animal from them,” she said in the news release.
“Based on the condition of the original kitten, it was clear that the animals in this home were not receiving the care they desperately needed.”
The cats and kittens will spend the next two months in quarantine, due to ringworm. After that they will be available for adoption.
