WARNING: images below may be disturbing
The Furry Friends Animal Shelter (FFAS) in Barrie is staring down a vet bill of between $12,000 to $15,000 after 23 unwell cats and kittens were left on the doorstep of the Aldergrove Animal Clinic on Yonge Street on Friday.
The four young mothers and 19 kittens were left in a cardboard box.
FFAS board member Nicole Swyers tells Barrie 360 that eight of the youngest and weakest kittens are being bottle fed, with four each in separate foster homes, as the moms couldn't keep up.
Swyers says it is day-to-day for the bottle fed kittens, and adds it is challenging because the foster has to feed them every two to three hours.
The rest of the felines have been moved into regular foster, so they can be monitored more closely.
"The kittens that went into foster today are doing well," said Swyers. "Some of them are eating on their own, and they've actually got their kitten energy back. They were playing and rolling around today, and fighting with each other."
About half of the cats and kittens are receiving medication for their eyes, though one of the felines will have one of its eyes removed on Friday as the infection is too far gone. They have also been vaccinated and microchipped, and the animals will also be spayed and neutered.
There is also a pregnant mom in foster, so depending on how many cats she has, there will be additional costs.
Swyers says animal control is investigating the dumping of the cats and kittens.
To help the shelter cover costs, funds can be e-transferred to asktheboard@furryfriendsbarrie.com or through its website at http://furryfriendsbarrie.com/Donate. Cheques and money orders made payable to “Furry Friends Animal Shelter Inc.” can be sent to Furry friends Animal Shelter, 25 Hart Drive, Unit 15, Barrie, ON L4N 5R8.
The shelter could also use some high-quality kitten food.
Images supplied
