Investigation launched after 32 cats left in plastic containers outside B.C. SPCA facility

The cats were found in plastic containers outside the B.C. SPCA's Sunshine Coast facility on Dec. 5, 2025. (B.C. SPCA)

Staff at the B.C. SPCA’s Sunshine Coast animal centre in Sechelt have been dealing with an “unprecedented” situation this month.

Around 9 a.m. on Dec. 5, someone abandoned 32 cats in plastic containers outside the facility’s door.

The animal centre was closed at the time, though volunteers were present and working in the back, the SPCA said in a news release about the situation Thursday.

Unfortunately, the volunteers could not see the parking lot and did not witness the cats being dropped off.

Abandoning an animal is a crime under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, and the B.C. SPCA has opened an animal protection investigation in the matter.

“This is the largest number of animals left at a B.C. SPCA animal centre that I can recall,” said Marika Donnelly, manager of the B.C. SPCA Sunshine Coast, in the release.

“Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for a litter or kittens or a dog to be left outside an animal centre, but to find more than 30 cats is unheard of.”

According to the SPCA, the plastic containers were taped shut, and there were multiple cats in each one.

The agency estimated that its volunteers found the animals only about 20 minutes after they were left outside the facility’s main gate. One of the animals was found dead, and all of them needed treatment for the parasite coccidia, the SPCA said.

“Normally, we have advance notice with a large intake of animals like this and can make a plan using supports and resources from across the organization, which can include transferring animals out of a centre to make room,” Donnelly said. ”When these cats appeared on our doorstep, we already had more than 50 animals in our care and only six kennels available. We had to close the animal centre to properly care for these animals and the others.”

Several of the cats were housed in dog crates at the Sunshine Coast facility as a temporary solution, and 15 of the animals have since been transferred to the Surrey animal centre, according to the SPCA.

Staff spent about seven hours finding temporary housing for all of the cats, the agency said.

While some of the animals are undersocialized and “a little fearful,” most are “extremely friendly,” according to Layla Gilhooly, manager of the B.C. SPCA Surrey animal centre.

The cats have now completed their quarantine period and some will be available for adoption on Friday, the SPCA said. Others need to be spayed or neutered before they will be ready for a new home.

Kaila Wolf, the B.C. SPCA’s senior director of media and internal communications, said that leaving animals outside an SPCA facility is not a good choice, and people who need to surrender animals will be met with compassion if they contact the SPCA directly.

“We completely understand how hard it is when someone is faced with the decision of rehoming a pet,” Wolf said. “If you’re struggling with the hard choice of needing to surrender your animal, please call the B.C. SPCA’s Animal Helpline team or at least speak with the animal centre staff so we can help you but also to ensure the animals receive the care they need right away.”

RELATED STORIES:

• ‘A heartbreaking sight’: Severely matted, injured dog seized by B.C. SPCA
• B.C. man banned from owning pets for life after dog found in ‘abhorrent condition’
• B.C. SPCA appealing for information after tethered, muzzled dog found dead in woods
• Guilty plea to animal cruelty charge gets B.C. woman probation, 15-year ownership ban
• Golden retriever needed surgery to remove embedded chain from neck: B.C. SPCA