Calgary Humane Society seizes 97 cats, 6 birds in hoarding case
Posted Jun 14, 2022 2:45 pm.
Last Updated Jun 14, 2022 2:46 pm.
The Calgary Humane Society (CHS) seized 103 animals from a home in the city’s northeast on June 7 in a shocking case of hoarding.
CHS employees say the seizure took several days, and it’s one of the biggest animal recoveries in recent memory.
“Six of those were birds, 97 of those were cats. The environmental conditions inside were such that the home was deemed unfit for human habitation, so not healthy for anybody to be in,” said Brad Nichols, director of operations and enforcement, Calgary Humane Society.
“Between their lack of socialization — they are basically wild animals, most of them — that makes it more challenging to get a full exam on them,” said Nichols.
Concerns about contagious diseases and respiratory issues
CHS says only a small portion of the animals is expected to make it through to adoption given the state they are in.
Nichols adds that there are concerns about contagious diseases among the population and respiratory issues.
“Birds in particular, tend to be a bit more sensitive to respiratory issues, and with the high ammonia level that was in the home, that could have a significant long-lasting effect on them. Time will tell,” said Nichols.
It is not clear yet whether the owner will be charged provincially, or under the criminal code.
Nichols says CHS hopes that the charges include a condition where the owner will not be allowed to own animals, at least until the court dates.
READ MORE:
-
Calgary animal welfare groups facing low donations, high pet surrenders
-
Calgary Zoo claims COVID-19 vaccine not responsible for gorilla’s cancer diagnosis
-
Elderly woman dead after dog attack in northwest Calgary
Nichols adds some people with large amounts of animals see themselves as caretakers.
He says there are multiple ways people can end up with large amounts of animals, such as by refusing to spay or neuter their pets.
“But at the end of the day, what they all have in common is unfortunately, the house becomes overrun, the environmental conditions will then become untenable for both the owner and the cats and at that point, some action needs to be taken as far as getting those numbers down and getting the property into a safe status for, at very least, the human owner once those animals have been removed,” said Nichols.
CHS will spend the next while assessing the animal’s medical and behavioural needs before determining if they can be adopted.
