Driver finds box of abandoned kittens

Two adult cats and five kittens will be up for adoption at Greater Sudbury Animal Control tomorrow (Feb. 11), after they were rescued following a call from a concerned motorist.

The two adult cats — a male and female roughly two years old — and the kittens were found in a box on Whitson Lake Road in Val Caron on Feb. 7. According to a press release from animal control, the driver spotted one of the cats looking out of the box.

Abandoned animals are a common issue in the city, Richard Paquette, shelter manager, said.

"This is a bad habit Greater Sudburians must give up," he said. "Over 800 stray or abandoned cats arrive annually at the Greater Sudbury Animal Shelter, and less than 10 per cent of those cats are ever claimed by their owners.

“(People) need not resort to the practice of dumping them on the side of the road."

The cats were in good condition and appeared not to have been outside for very long. Warmer temperatures on Monday were also in the animals' favour, Paquette said, but added that the animals could have been in worse condition if they'd been outside longer.

"It's kinda remote out there," he said.

The two adult cats and five kittens go up for adoption on Feb. 11. There is an adoption fee of $70 per cat.

People who need to surrender a pet can phone the Greater Sudbury Animal Shelter 705-673-3647 (DOGS), or the Ontario SPCA at 705-566-9582. The animal shelter will pick up the animal if required.

"While there is no excuse not to drop your pet off at a nice warm place, (doing so) also greatly increases your pet's chance of finding a new home," Paquette stated in a press release.

"Surrendered pets are immediately available for adoption and can be fast-tracked into our foster program."

Abandoning animals is also an offense punishable under the city's bylaws and the Ontario SPCA Act.

Anyone with information about the abandoned cats, or other incidents of animal abuse or abandonment, can phone animal control, or Sudbury Rainbow Crime Stoppers.

Cat Adoption Trust Sudbury (CATS) is accepting donations to help cover the cost of spaying and neutering the cats found at the side of the road. To make a donation, phone 705-856-7828, or e-mail [email protected]. Donations can also be left at Pet Food Warehouse on Regent Street and Lasalle Boulevard.