Good Samaritan in Regina gives two abandoned kittens a second chance

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When kittens Wiley and Remmy were found abandoned in a Glenelm-area alley last month, one Regina resident was quick to take them into his home and safe from freezing temperatures.

He kept them overnight and then contacted the Regina Cat Rescue (RCR), which took them into their care. Although the mostly volunteer-run organization was on an intake freeze, operations manager Sarah Ritchie immediately fell for the black kittens and made an exception.

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“It just tugged at my heart for some reason,” said Ritchie, who is fostering both kittens as well as four other felines. As a self-described animal lover with a weak spot for black cats, she said it was both the story and an accompanying picture of Wiley and Remmy that convinced her.

Ritchie said cats being abandoned is common, especially in rural areas where they often wander to nearby farms for refuge. The rescue fielded 187 inquiries between April and December last year to report cats that were approachable, meaning they were not feral and could possibly be abandoned or lost.

“People don’t really realize how expensive it can be to care for them. People see a cat and they think that they are fairly independent and low maintenance,” Ritchie said, adding that cats can be a commitment for up to 20 years. “As the cost of living rises, it’s a reality of ‘do I pay my bills, feed myself or feed my animals?’ Sometimes it’s really difficult.”

Luckily for the abandoned kittens, they were perfectly healthy when found in a bag at six weeks of age. They must remain in foster care until they are about 12 weeks old, which is the age recommended for a kitten to be adopted out.

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Now Wiley and Remmy spend most of the day at Ritchie’s home, curled up together napping. In the evenings, Wiley is perfectly happy to cuddle up on her foster parent’s lap while Remmy is described as a “tornado” that will run and play through the house.

The rescue, which runs on donations and grants, has been limited by its financial resources. The organization says it has made the hard decision to pause intake of cats as it grapples with limited foster homes and a recent dip in donations.

The voicemail for another provincial volunteer group, SOS Prairie Rescue, also indicates it has implemented an intake freeze.

The Regina Cat Rescue says it typically receives more calls for help than it can support and, in some cases, encourages residents to try and find the owner or take the cat into their own home, if possible. The rescue also has a community care team which tends to feral cats that cannot be placed in homes.

“We have an amazing team of dedicated volunteers who go out every day, regardless of the weather, to feed them and keep an eye on them to make sure they are healthy,” said Ritchie, adding that some of the street cats begin to recognize the volunteers over time and warm up to them.

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The Regina Humane Society said an unusually high number of cats and dogs have been coming into the shelter over the past few months, putting “considerable stress” on its system. It has been working to help the pets find families through promotional campaigns, adoption events and partnerships with its satellite adoption centres, including the Cathedral Pet Shop, Pats Pets and other retail partners.

“While we have seen considerable success in our efforts, the high number of pets coming in remains a constant challenge,” said a spokesperson for the RHS in an email on Wednesday.

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