The Williams Lake and District BCSPCA Freaky Friday Feline Festival Open House was a big success with visitors coming and going the whole day.
“Our goal was to adopt 13 cats,” said shelter manager Liz Dighton. “We ended the day with six felines heading to their new homes and more than $500 in donations. Thank you to everyone who came up to visit.”
The Freaky Friday Feline Festival Open House was held Friday, Jan. 13.
At the time the shelter had a full house of 15 cats, 15 kittens and 16 dogs in residence.
This week, Heather Mortimer said the shelter transferred two puppies and one adult dog along with five cats to the Lower Mainland for adoption.
She said three of the cats went to the Catfe coffee shop in Burnaby where people who can’t have cats of their own can come and cuddle with the shelter cats that are up for adoption.
“There have been more than 300 adoptions since it opened last year,” Mortimer said.
A total of six dogs, four puppies, eight cats and five kittens remain at the Williams Lake shelter for adoption.
One of the cats seeking a special home is an adult black male named Jerry, who lost most of his ears to frostbite.
“When he came in he was suffering with severe hypothermia and a large abscess wound on his front leg,” Mortimer said.
She said Jerry spent his first 24 hours with a veterinarian receiving warm intravenous fluids to bring up his body temperature and save his life.
Jerry’s wound has healed and he is now neutered and ready for adoption.
However, she said Jerry has a feline immunodeficiency virus which requires him to live in a home without other cats or with other cats that have the same disorder.
The disease is only transmittable to other cats, not humans, Mortimer said.
Jerry also doesn’t like dogs, but he is friendly with other cats and people.
“He’s just a laid back, loveable sweetie,” Mortimer says.
To help care for all of the animals that come into care at the Williams Lake shelter Dighton said they have also compiled a new wish list.
“Good old cash is always welcome,” Dighton said.
Their in-kind wish list has been updated to include sidewalk salt, large garbage bags, paper towels, durable cat and dog toys, sheets, towels, liquid laundry detergent, dish soap, vinegar, household cleaner/Mr. Clean, Q-tips, and zap straps.
Volunteers can also help the local shelter by visiting with both cats and dogs in care, walking dogs, and fostering animals in their own homes that are too young or injured to be at the shelter.
“People can also volunteer to help with fundraising events or humane education,” Dighton said.
If someone has lost a cat or dog, she advises them to check postings on the BCSPCA’s provincial website at www.spca.bc.ca.
The BCSPCA in Williams Lake is open to the public for adoptions from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday.
For more information contact the local BCSPCA at 250-392-2179.