These tiny kittens were found abandoned at a B.C. dump

A litter of tiny, newborn kittens were found alone beside their dead mother in the garbage at the Salmon Arm dump, so Critteraid Animal Sanctuary in Summerland came to their rescue. 

Animal director Jess Byer said they got a call from the Shuswap Veterinary Clinic this week that a woman had come across the babies, and they needed urgent care. 

"We don't know how long they had Mom, or if they had enough milk to give them a good, healthy start to life, so our volunteers are working around the clock, checking every two hours, to make sure their needs are met," Byer said. "That they're warm, safe and medically sound."

Only four survived of the nine-kitten litter, and even they are still touch-and-go. 

The four babies are just the tip of the iceberg for Critteraid's kitten intake this year. Byer said it's been an avalanche of abandoned or orphaned kittens, which takes its toll on the sanctuary since the younger the cat, the more likely it won't survive. 

"It's hard emotionally for our volunteers," she said, adding that on top of that, caring for these babies is hard financially. 

"An average healthy kitten, we can spend anything from $200 to $500 just getting their food, their vaccinations, their vet care," Byer explained. "When they come in this weak and sick, we're talking around the clock hospital care. We're talking constant contact with the vet, constant vet appointments. They can cost up to $1,000."

It's a burden Byer and the other Critteraid volunteers are happy to bear to give these kittens a fighting chance at life, but they would appreciate any help from the community that they can get. 

"We try to ask the public to sponsor as much as they can and put in what they can do, because these animals have nobody," Byer said. 

The easiest way to help stop the overpopulation of kittens is be a responsible pet owner and ensure all cats are spayed and neutered. In the meantime, though, these babies need help now. 

"We really believe these kittens deserve someone to step up," Byer said. 

To learn more about Critteraid or to donate, click here. Follow their rescue stories on Facebook here. 

-Chelsea Powrie, Castanet