43 cats rescued from Manitoba hoarding situation

A local animal rescue says they have taken in 106 cats in April alone.

A Winnipeg animal rescue has taken in dozens of cats following a hoarding situation in the province.

Last week, Tails of Freedom Rescue Inc. took in 43 cats ranging in age from three-week-old kittens to adult felines. It’s still waiting on about 20 more.

Though the rescue couldn’t give further details about the hoarding situation due to privacy concerns, it was able to confirm all the cats were living on one property and came in with various health conditions.

“They weren’t all in the best of conditions. Some had major conjunctivitis, upper respiratory infections,” said Kevin Dowbeta, the rescue’s supply and adoption event coordinator, in an interview on Tuesday.

“Lots of them had ears full of ear mites, to say the very least.”

Financial, emotional strain

For Tails of Freedom, this type of situation puts a major strain on the organization both financially and emotionally.

Dowbeta said it’s expected that intake and veterinary costs will amount to around $20,000.

“Obviously, that’s a big number for any not-for-profit,” he said, adding that it took the team several days to complete the intake assessments.

“These kinds of colonies are a lot of work for our team as well.”

Dowbeta emphasized the importance of spaying and neutering to prevent overpopulation and future hoarding crises.

“Everyone should be spaying and neutering their cats as early as they’re safe to do so,” he said.

“Kittens as early as four months old can be having more kittens of their own and they will unfortunately mate with siblings as well if there’s nobody around at that young age.”

Community steps up

Dowbeta said the Tails of Freedom fundraising team is working non-stop to try to raise money, adding that the community has really stepped up.

Those who want to help are encouraged to make monetary donations or take part in one of the rescue’s fundraisers.

With files from CTV’s Charles Lefebvre