SPCA seeks public's help with cruelty investigation

BY FRED SGAMBATI

fsgambati@kentvilleadvertiser.ca

NovaNewsNow.com

The Kings County Branch of the Nova Scotia SPCA wants the public’s help in finding the person or persons who killed five kittens by bludgeoning them to death and then disposing of their bodies in Oakdene Pond in Kentville last week.

In a press release issued July 25, the Nova Scotia SPCA, Kings Branch, says a pillowcase containing the bodies and crushed skulls was spotted by a passerby last Friday. The pillowcase is an aqua blue colour with burgundy-coloured diamonds with holes in the centre of each diamond.

The kittens were four months old and all were orange short-haired tabbies. One kitten had a distinctive, black shaded patch beside and above its right eye; three were light orange, almost blonde in colour; and the fifth kitten was a darker brownish orange tabby.

The SPCA and Town Police have launched an investigation.

Kentville Police Chief Mark Mander said Saturday afternoon, “we are investigating the matter. We have no leads at this point, but would appreciate information from the public who may have knowledge.”

Carol Doucet is president of the Kings Branch, SPCA. In an e-mail interview Sunday she said, “acts of violence against innocent animals are all too common and while I cannot speculate on the reason behind this particular incident, it would be fair to say that the level of anger and frustration of people over the problem of the thousands of unwanted cats in our county is widespread.

“These animals are the result of decades of indiscriminate breeding of cats whose owners do not spay/neuter. It is very common now for scores of homes in our county to have several cats and this saturation slows our ability to find good homes for our cats,” she said.

“Our animals are treated for parasites, vaccinated, sterilized and given permanent identification. We charge $120 per adoption, which is a significant saving to responsible pet owners. Still, because cats can be gotten for free, people often go this route and often perpetuate the breeding because the cost of vet care is beyond their resources. There are colonies large and small hanging around neighborhoods in every town. It is not unique to Kentville.”



Nearly 750 calls just for cats

Doucet said that in the first six months of 2008, voice-mail at the Kings Branch has received 749 calls relating just to cats. While some calls are people looking to adopt a cat, this accounts for less than 10 per cent of the calls. The majority expects the SPCA to take unwanted cats off their hands.

“Bear in mind,” she said, “that each call represents a multiple number of cats. We currently have 15 foster homes. We have taken in 45 cats in the last six months and currently have 26 waiting to be adopted. Clearly callers can and do become angry and those conversations can become a diatribe of foul language.”

She says the solution to overpopulation of cats rests with our elected officials. She contends they will act if residents let them know they want action.

“Public anger needs to be directed where it will produce results…to our politicians,” she said. “This branch is very willing to work with these councillors to find fair and effective solutions. We have been quietly dealing with the consequences of inaction for 17 years while being publicly criticized for not taking in more cats. This would create solutions. Criticizing volunteers of the SPCA is demoralizing and destructive.

“This act of cruelty is just one case in the many complaints responded to by our Special Constable all over the county. Many cases involve multiple cat owners who have become overwhelmed and unable to care properly for the cats in their possession. This results in chronic suffering from parasites, disease and unsanitary conditions. Frustrated landlords can force evictions of tenants to solve complaints they receive and this can result in extreme stress to a tenant who can’t find a place for the cats.

“Who knows why this happened? Finding this person may answer the question, but will not solve the problem.”

Anyone who may recognize the litter of five kittens fitting the description and/or the pillowcase, or who has any other relevant information, is asked to call the local SPCA at 582-7671 or the Kentville Police Department at 678-3378. All information will be kept strictly confidential.