The orange tabby suffered severe burns and smoke inhalation after being found in Faulder, an area affected by the Bald Range wildfire
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A stray cat found badly burned near Summerland last weekend has died after a veterinarian determined its injuries were too severe for a safe recovery.
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The male orange tabby, nicknamed by the Kelowna B.C. SPCA as their “ginger warrior kitty”, was found Aug. 15 in the area of Fish Lake Road and Princeton-Summerland Road in Faulder by a firefighter, who brought the injured animal to a veterinarian.
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Faulder was one of the communities evacuated due to the Bald Range wildfire, which has burned an area of more than 240 square kilometres.
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Believed to be about nine years old, the cat had no collar, tattoo, or microchip. He arrived covered with ash and with “pretty gruesome” injuries, said Katie Spencer, spokeswoman for the SPCA Thompson Okanagan and Kootenays region.
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“He had pretty extensive burns to his hind legs to the point the tissue was destroyed and he had bones sticking out,” she said. “That would have required a double leg amputation. In addition to that, he had extreme smoke inhalation and was burnt on top of that too.”
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The vet determined the cat’s injuries were too extensive for him to recover. They did everything they could to keep him pain-free and comfortable, said Spencer. The cat was euthanized on Monday.
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No one has come forward to claim him but a Summerland resident contacted the SPCA to say the cat looks very similar to a stray from their neighbourhood.
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The fur markings were nearly identical, as were the ears, Spencer said, but without permanent identification the SPCA cannot confirm they are the same animal.
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The SPCA has retained the cat’s remains in case its owner comes forward.
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The cat was among dozens of pets that have been caught up in wildfires in the Okanagan.
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Okanagan-area SPCAs have received about four strays, including a black, short-haired domestic cat rescued from the Vernon area two weeks ago.
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“Her paws were absolutely burnt. She was very touch and go for a bit. But thankfully she did recover,” said Spencer.
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The cat, nicknamed Lucky, was discharged Thursday into the care of the SPCA. “I saw her this morning and even though she’s in a lot of pain she was purring” and kneading her paws, added Spencer.
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The SPCA is hoping to reunite Lucky with her owner. If nobody comes forward, she will be available for adoption.
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In total, about 126 evacuated animals — mostly cats and dogs but also a gecko — have gone through SPCA shelters in the region, Spencer said. Most animals have been reunited with their owners, but 27 animals still remain with the SPCA.
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