The Humane Society London and Middlesex (HSLM) has taken custody of 88 cats after their owner became overwhelmed by the large number of animals.
The agency used two rented trucks to transport the felines of varying age and health to the Clarke Road shelter on Tuesday. They had been living inside a home and in exterior retrofitted shelters.
"The owner surrendered the animals after the number of cats became overwhelming and unmanageable," HSLM said in a statement. "The responsible decision to surrender the animals came about through transparent conversations with the owner regarding the overall health and safety of the animals, as well as the resources required to continue sheltering and caring for the large volume of cats."
Each of the cats was physically examined upon arriving at the shelter. None exhibited emergent conditions. They have since been dewormed, vaccinated, treated for fleas, ticks, and ear mites, and given antibiotics to ensure overall health.
None of the animals have been spayed or neutered. The cost for the humane society to provide the surgeries and continue to extend care to the cats is expected to be quite high. As a result, the agency is appealing to the public for monetary donations. They can be made online at www.hslm.ca.
The agency, which does not receive government funding, shelters an average of 215 animals on a daily basis. Additional staff and volunteers have been brought in to help care for the sudden increase of cats in its care.