The Okanagan Humane Society (OHS) has taken 21 cats into its care, after their previous caretaker left them behind when they moved from their Cariboo property.
“We recently received a call from a woman in Lone Butte requesting support,” said Romany Runnalls, executive director of OHS. “Her neighbour had moved and left behind twenty-one cats and kittens. She was concerned for their well-being, explaining that the animals were not feral but under-socialized, and she had found all of them still on the property.”
The woman who called the cats in believed her neighbour had been caring for only four feral cats. Upon visiting the property, she discovered an additional 17 cats in need of help.
“OHS worked closely with the rescuer to bring all of the cats and kittens to safety,” Runnalls said. “They were immediately transported to our veterinary partners for medical assessments and care. Thankfully, all of the animals are in relatively good health.”
Each cat will receive full veterinary services, including spaying and neutering, vaccinations, deworming and identification.
“This rescue will cost the society roughly $8,000, and situations like this are becoming increasingly common,” Runnalls noted. “Pet overpopulation remains a significant challenge. In fact, many humane societies throughout B.C. are seeing similar cases, and we’ve lost ground since COVID.”
OHS has hit another record high for demand in the Okanagan. Since January, the organization has already rescued, treated and supported 4,322 animals, an average of 14 a day. The OHS is on track to help more than 5,000 animals this calendar year, which is double the number of animals it helped in 2023.
“We see it all, and have dozens of requests for help every day, 365 days a year, because you cannot schedule a rescue,” Runnalls said.
“Honestly, the stories are never-ending of suffering by animals in our community. Animals breeding and dying on our streets, guardians that simply cannot afford the cost of living, so their animals cannot receive proper medical care and animals being dumped as guardians have nowhere to turn for support.”
The charity has seen an uptick in both of its main programs in 2025. The rescue program has helped 2,322 animals to date, including large colonies of 20 to 40 animals in Tappen, Merritt, Vernon, Kelowna, Osoyoos and Enderby. The pet assistance program has seen a need for 2,000 animals, including large litters, being surrendered by people who can no longer care for them.
The organization has adopted 1,120 animals to new homes this year.
With the average cost per animal around $300, the charity has needed to raise a record amount of funding to answer this record need.
“As long as we have volunteer fosters and funding, we can continue to save the lives of local animals,” Runnalls said.
In response to the growing need, OHS has launched its largest giving campaign throughout the Okanagan, Angels for Animals.
“Our Angels for Animals campaign is an opportunity for the community to help OHS say ‘yes’ to saving lives and giving animals the second chance they deserve,” said Marni Adams, fund development specialist at OHS.
Adams continues, “We had three generous donors step up to match all donations from now until December 31 up to $150,000 so those that donate can double their impact for animals.”
To donate and double your donation, visit okanaganhumanesociety.com/angels-for-animals.