‘The smell is indescribable’: Sask. animal rescue removes 15 cats from condemned home

(Source: Facebook / SOS Prairie Rescue)

A Saskatchewan cat rescue organization is scrambling for support after removing more than a dozen cats from a derelict home covered in feces, urine and garbage last week.

In a Facebook post Saturday, SOS Prairie Rescue said it pulled 15 cats from a home located in Wynyard, Sask., some of which needed urgent medical help.

“We crawled through garbage piled nearly five feet high; heads lowered intentionally to avoid the filthy ceiling. Moving on hands and knees, slowly, patiently, earning the trust of cats so they could be brought to safety,” the group said in the post.

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SOS Prairie Rescue says the action was a joint response with Mozart Sympawthy Animal Sanctuary, SCAT Street Cat Rescue and the Saskatchewan RCMP.

In an email to CTV News, the RCMP said the response was triggered after officers conducted a wellness check on Jan. 2 at a home in Wynyard, a town located about 200 kilometres southeast of Saskatoon.

Police found one of the occupants dead. The other person living in the home was connected with “necessary health care,” the RCMP said.

“As there is no criminality involved and to be mindful of the privacy of those involved, we are not providing any additional details. Thank you for your understanding.”

According to SOS Prairie Rescue, the windows were all boarded up and the home was warmed by space heaters — a dangerous situation in a space covered with discarded boxes, papers and other loose litter.

Members described it as one of the worst homes and living conditions they’ve ever seen.

“The house has been condemned. Yes — humans were living in these conditions,” the post said.

“The smell is indescribable. Vicks under the nose. An N95 mask. It doesn’t touch it.”

The group removed 15 cats Saturday and estimated another 10 would need to be removed through trapping.

Now, it’s seeking foster homes for the cats and donations for their food, shelter and medical care.

“We need people willing to step forward.”

In a post Monday night, SOS Prairie Rescue called for compassion for the people behind the pets.

“At the centre of situations like the one we responded to are people — people who deserve dignity, compassion, and care. Homes like this don’t exist in isolation, and they are not created by cruelty. They are most often the result of people struggling without access to support, services, or early intervention,” SOS Prairie Rescue said.

“Scenes like this are tragically familiar to frontliners, first responders, and animal welfare organizations — but often invisible to everyone else. Quiet suffering happening in communities every single day.”

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