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Kitten dies, another facing leg amputation after cats left in taped boxes in B.C.’s bitter cold

Nine kittens, ranging from 12 weeks to four months old, were found in two boxes taped shut

A kitten has died and another will be requiring a leg amputation after several cats were found abandoned at a construction site during the recent freeze-over in Vancouver.

Nine kittens, ranging from 12 weeks to four months old, were found in two boxes taped shut, the BC SPCA said Friday (Dec. 30). It’s unclear exactly when the boxes were discovered.

“The temperatures were bitterly cold when these kittens were left at a construction site with nothing but a cardboard box for protection,” Jodi Dunlop, manager of the BC SPCA’s Vancouver animal centre, said in a statement.

“When someone working at the construction site opened the boxes, they found the kittens huddled together for warmth and immediately brought them to the BC SPCA.”

One of the kittens, which had a prior injury that had not been treated, was unable to be saved by veterinarians and died. A second kitten, which the animal welfare agency has named Prance, was also suffering from an injury on the front right leg and will now have to have the leg amputated.

“She is the sweetest kitten,” Dunlop said. “She kneads biscuits with her front left paw and is always so happy to have visitors.”

Three of the other baby cats also required medical attention.

“People need to know that it is illegal to abandon an animal,” says Eileen Drever, BC SPCA’s senior officer protection and stakeholder relations.

“Thankfully there was someone at the construction site to find these kittens and bring them to us.”

The kittens will remain at the agency’s Vancouver animal centre until fully recovered, before being available for adoption.

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About the Author: Ashley Wadhwani-Smith

I began my journalistic journey at Black Press Media as a community reporter in my hometown of Maple Ridge, B.C.
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