The Medicine River Wildlife Centre has stepped in to help with the growing number of abandoned cats.
Red Deer and area has seen a growing number of cats being abandoned because shelters are simply too full.
Carol Kelly, executive director for the Medicine River Wildlife Centre (MRWC), said they have stepped in to help despite being a wildlife centre.
“We have gotten involved because there is an epidemic of dumped and roaming cats,” said Kelly.
The MRWC is working closely with the SPCA, Red Deer College, Animal Control and Whisker Rescue to help spread the word of the growing issues of abandoned cats.
“Somebody has to take responsibility,” said Kelly. “The problem is these places are full and the cats who get turned away people are dumping their cats because they think they can survive in the wild but they don’t live a very good life and there are disease problems and kitten issues.”
The MRWC has taken in 13 kittens recently from an individual who was desperate with the growing number of cats in his house.
Seven cats were dumped at his home last year and he tried to take care of them but was overwhelmed with the amount of kittens he found this year.
“They were breeding out of control and the problem is people are not neutering and spaying their cats,” said Kelly. “We are out there raising donor dollars to raise someone’s cat and it’s just not right.”
The MRWC are currently taking care of 20 kittens and two adult cats that are looking for good homes.
Kelly also said that they don’t want to turn any cats away, but they can’t help them all.
“It is out of control, and as a society we have to be more responsible,” said Kelly.
Kelly also said there is a growing concern that the parasites cats carry are directly linked to human issues such as birth defects, and schizophrenia.
She plans on talking to health officials to help in the fight to have good healthy indoor cats because most of the cats turned away are used to the indoors.
“It’s a cat fight,” said Kelly. “We must take some responsibility for the mess we’ve made and change our attitude towards cats.”
The MRWC welcomes support in any form either in adopting a kitten or donations to help in their fight to stop cat abandonment. They are located near Spruce View and are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be reached at 403-728-3467.
