The loss of the SPCA shelter in Vernon continues to plague the region with heart-tugging stories of abandoned animals and those in desperate need of care.
This week two dozen two-week-old kittens, their moms, plus four adults have been rescued from one Cherryville property.
Last week three dogs were abandoned in a house in Lumby.
Last month a one-week old kitten was found lying on the sidewalk on 25th Avenue in Vernon with its umbilical cord still attached and eyes closed.
That cat, named Boots, was taken in by a foster mama cat, who cared for her alongside her own five kittens.
Boots was a star attraction, collecting cuddles and kisses from supporters at the Hearts for Paws fundraiser May 31 at Vernon's Prestige Hotel.
Boots' human foster brought the whole troop of kittens (which will be available for adoption in about seven weeks) to the Okanagan Humane Society (OHS) fundraiser.
Lesia Payne has fostered over 100 kittens through OHS, including the cardboard box kittens from Kelowna.
"It's messy and exhausting and so worth it," Payne said.
She is one of over 140 foster homes in the Okanagan. But being in the North Okanagan is where fosters are particularly helpful since the closure of the SPCA shelter in November 2023.
"We had to double the amount (of fosters) in the North Okanagan when the SPCA closed," said Romany Runnalls, OHS volunteer president.
Almost as grateful as the animals being rescued is Regional District of North Okanagan Bylaw Enforcement Officer Jamie McLaughlin.
"We have partners in a certain organizations that left us high and dry," said McLaughlin, as RDNO only has the ability to hold an animal for so many hours. "We are a small department and we take care of what we can. We have two dog officers, they work everyday."
Now with a partner in OHS, McLaughlin and staff don't have to worry about what happens to the animals.
"We get closure," he said, as they even have people call and send pictures. "Thank you for helping us."
McLaughlin spoke at the Hearts for Paws event, after a quick kitten snuggle, and helped the event raise nearly $30,000.
Those funds will help more animals that come in needing medical attention, including spaying and neutering to try and curb overpopulation.
"We are fixing animals and stopping the breeding," said Runnalls.
The inaugural event, a night of compassion and community, was a sold-out sensation.
The night was filled with wagging tails, heartwarming stories, kitten kisses, and more love than OHS could have imagined.
Founded in 1996 by Louvain Schon to help cats, OHS has grown substantially, serving the valley from Osoyoos to Shuswap.
"Over the last few years we took OHS and put it on steroids," said Runnalls. "We went from helping about 1,000 animals per year with Louvain to 4,000 a year."
Last year 900 cats and 56 dogs were adopted and so far this year 288 cats and 76 dogs have been adopted (along with some rabbits).
George the bulldog is now living his best life after he was reported to the OHS not in good shape with rashes and ribs showing. OHS got him the medical attention he needed and his foster home turned foster fail and has kept him.
OHS also helped another dog who lived on Westside Road and was hit by a car, the day after her brother died from being hit. She had a severe hind leg fracture that resulted in amputation and is now a happy girl bouncing around.
The society also tries to keep people and pets together whenever possible.
Next up, Putts for Paws Annual Charity Golf Tournament tees off Friday, June 21 at Black Mountain Golf Course.
