The BC SPCA’s Spay/Neuter clinic in Kamloops is holding a free clinic on Wednesday, March 22 to help reduce the suffering of feral cats in the region; and people or organizations in Ashcroft, Cache Creek, Clinton, and other local communities are eligible to take part.
“The overpopulation of cats is a huge welfare issue right across B.C., and we know that tens of thousands of cats live outdoors and face intolerable suffering because of disease, predation, or starvation,” says the clinic’s administrator, Vivian Van Dorne. “Sterilizing feral cats—ownerless cats that are born out of captivity and without human socialization—is a key step to ending the cycle of suffering that is happening in Kamloops and in communities across the province.”
Van Dorne says that while there is no limit as to how many feral cats a person or organization can bring in, there are only about 50 spots available on March 22. All cats brought in will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and dewormed. They can then be taken back to their home community and returned to the wild.
“We recommend that the cats be kept somewhere safe for a couple of days after the surgery,” says Van Dorne. “They’re groggy after the anaesthetic, and can be vulnerable.” She adds that the cats which have been treated, while still living outdoors, will not be adding to the feral cat community, or spreading diseases to other cats—feral and domestic—in the community.
From drop-off to pick-up is usually under three hours, and Van Dorne hopes they can fill all 50 spots. She recommends that anyone who wants to book should do so soon, as they already have 44 surgeries tentatively booked for the day. “There will be a cancellation list, because we have no-shows, and there is a good possibility people will cancel, or people who say they will bring in 10 cats and then can only trap five.”
Anyone who would like to make an appointment at the March 22 clinic should call (250) 376-6055, or email kamloopsclinic@spca.bc.ca.