Numerous dogs and cats were rescued recently from a home off Vancouver Island and transported to Nanaimo. (BC SPCA)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

animals seized

SPCA seizes 44 animals found in ‘shockingly unsanitary conditions’, taken to Nanaimo for treatment

Nov 28, 2023 | 10:11 AM

NANAIMO — Animals found in a home covered in feces and incredible amounts of garbage are being given a fresh start in life.

The BCSPCA revealed on Tuesday, Nov. 28 the plight of the animals primarily made up of small breed dogs, which were found on an island off the east coast of Vancouver Island.

Eileen Drever, senior officer protection for the BC SPCA, told NanaimoNewNOW their officers entered the home on Wednesday, Nov 22 with a search warrant to find the home’s carpets hardened with feces and mounds of garbage in many rooms of the home.

“We definitely have to make recommendations to Crown counsel, but it may go to diversion and maybe this person might get the help that they need,” Drever said.

Of the 39 dogs and five cats found and seized on site, some of the animals were found inside the home’s walls, Drever noted.

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“To live in a house with 44 animals and having what was described as a carpet of hardened feces, that’s not normal.”

She said there was no visible food or water, noting the home had no running water.

The small breed dogs are a combination of Havanese, Pabillons, poodles and Pomeranian mixes.

The animals were transported to Nanaimo and will be cared for at BC SPCA centres across Vancouver Island.

Of the dogs already fully examined, many are emaciated and there is evidence of dental disease.

Drever noted the dogs are doing remarkably well given what they have been through.

She said the animals were fearful of being seized, pointing to strangers in personal protective equipment in the home clearly starting the dogs.

“However, after a day and night in our care the dogs were really coming around and were happy to see staff.”

Drever said when the animals are well enough to be adopted the BCSPCA will notify the public on their website.

“People can submit an application online to adopt then we’ll interview interested parties after that,” she said.

Drever said the BCSPCA elected not to release the name of the island where the seizure took place to minimize the potential of vigilantism against the owner of the pets.

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