There has been no shortage of adoption requests for the four kittens who were rescued from a wildfire in Port Alberni last month, says the B.C. SPCA.
“Everyone from the firefighters who rescued them to the emergency veterinary hospital staff who treated them have reached out to us,” said Port Alberni-Clayoquot SPCA branch manager Sam Sattar. “Members of the public from across the province who saw their story have been so kind and generous in their donations and their desire to give one of these fighters a home.”
On June 20, a wildfire broke out in the Rogers Creek gully in Port Alberni.
Firefighters sweeping the area over the next two days discovered five kittens caught up in the fire, and rushed them to an emergency veterinary hospital and into the care of the B.C. SPCA.
One kitten escaped the fire with only singed fur and whiskers, but the others weren’t so fortunate. A kitten named Phoenix did not survive his burns despite extensive veterinary care.
Following emergency treatment, the four kittens have been staying at a temporary home, where they have been recovering with the help of a foster-dog mom.
“Kenna, the tortoiseshell, is always looking for a lap to sit on and loves to stalk her brothers and pounce on them. She makes biscuits on the other kittens’ fur and my dog Gracie,” said kitten foster Natalie.
A black and white kitten named Egan has taken a particular shine to her dog and loves to nestle under blankets next to Gracie, she said.
One of the ginger kittens, Afi, is still healing from burned toes and smoke inhalation injuries but is now able to play with the rest of the pack, Natalie said.
The B.C. SPCA said they are expecting the kittens to be available for adoption in a few weeks after they gain more weight.
The June 20 fire reached 0.75 hectares at its peak and is believed to be human-caused.
It broke out just 245 metres behind the Aberni-Clayouquot branch of the SPCA.
mjlo@timescolonist
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