Bomber and Thorin have room to roam, explore, and play, and a new mom and dad of sorts, thanks to the work of the Langley Animal Protection Society (LAPS).
The brothers were adopted by Abbotsford couple Tyler and Rachele Vaillancourt during LAPS’ first ever “Kitten Palooza”, an adoption event on Saturday created to find homes for some of the many kittens currently in the society’s care.
Rachele came to the Patti Dale Animal Shelter in Aldergrove to pick up the two kittens.
The Patti Dale shelter was one of two sites for “Kitten Palooza”, the other being the society’s satellite adoption centre in the Abbotsford Petsmart.
Kitten season is well under way, and LAPS has had a record numbers of kittens dropped off at its door.
As of last week, the shelter had almost 100 kittens in foster care with staff and volunteers, and had roughly 50 kittens available in the weeks leading up to “Kitten Palooza.”
“In order for us to help more homeless kittens, we need our ‘Kitten Palooza’ to be a huge success,” LAPS executive director says Sean Baker said, prior to the event.
“We’re running out of room.”
The cat problem in Langley paints a dim picture: 22,000 feral/homeless cats reproducing in the community; 7,000 owned cats allowed to have unwanted kittens; a 75 per cent mortality rate if kittens aren’t rescued by six months; zero public funds supporting LAPS’ rescue efforts; and a 93 per cent increase in kittens rescued by LAPS this year.
Jayne Nelson, manager of animal welfare at the Patti Dale shelter, said 23 kittens and seven adult cats were up for adoption and as of just past noon Saturday, there were just seven kittens remaining that needed forever homes.
Rachele is happy with the new additions to her household. “We’ve always wanted a cat and this seemed like a good time to do it.”
Thorin’s affectionate nature sealed the deal for him and his brother.
“When I picked up Thorin, he started purring,” Rachele said, of her reason for adopting the pair.
“They were by themselves in there, and I didn’t want to split them up,” she added.
The new pets are part and parcel with the couple’s newly purchased home.
“We’re really excited to be homeowners and to have cats to go with it,” Rachele said, adding that they wanted to have cats that really needed a home.
The first 30 people who adopted at the event received a kitten goodie bag, and everyone who adopted on June 27 were entered to win a grand prize.
Angie Quaale of Well Seasoned: A Gourmet Food Store was on site providing hot dogs and other treats by donation.
Prior to adoption, all cats and kittens were spayed or neutered, tattooed, and received their first set of vaccinations, plus de-fleaing and de-worming treatments.
The adoption fee also included a free check-up with a veterinarian within three days of adoption, six weeks of free pet insurance, and a bag of premium Royal Canin food.