Multiple cats fall from highrises, SPCA warning owners to be vigilant
2 cats died after falling from highrise buildings in the past two weeks, says Vancouver SPCA
The BC SPCA is issuing a warning to cat owners in highrise apartments, after receiving a number of cats that were injured after falling from balconies.
"At the Vancouver shelter we've had four cats brought to us in two weeks alone who were seriously injured after jumping or falling from highrise balconies," said Vancouver SPCA branch manager Jodi Dunlop, in a statement.
People assume cats have wonderful balance, but all it takes is an unexpected gust of wind.- Jodi Dunlop
"Two of the cats were in such extreme distress with multiple injuries that we couldn't save them."
One of those cats is a three-month-old Himalayan kitten named Roger Moore.
The kitten is currently in SPCA care, after falling a number of floors out of a 26-storey building. It suffered a broken front leg and has trauma to two vertebrae.
Dunlop said it is important for cat owners to recognize the dangers of living in a highrise apartment.
"People assume cats have wonderful balance, but all it takes is an unexpected gust of wind or a sudden noise to spook a cat for a potentially fatal fall to occur," she said.
The SPCA said owners should ensure that their balconies are enclosed, so cats cannot fall through bars or jump above railings.