Delta cat rescue group raided by B.C. SPCA
Forgotten Felines claim SPCA heavy-handed
Kent Spencer, The Province
Published: Thursday, September 25, 2008
The B.C. SPCA has seized 49 sick cats at a pet rescue operation in Delta that was home to 200 felines.

The SPCA's Marcie Moriarty said Thursday Forgotten Felines may be well-intentioned, but it had too many animals.

"It's admirable to take in sick animals, but rescuing cats implies treating them," said Moriarty, general-manager in charge of cruelty investigations.

She said animals were emaciated, dehydrated and suffering from distemper when officers arrived at the property on Wednesday.

"We found a cat in the kitchen which had been dead for three days," she said.

"There was a live kitten found among dead kittens. The vet reports are damning."

Of the 49 cats, one has died, eight are in a clinic and the SPCA is trying to find homes for the rest.

Forgotten Felines operates from a rundown yellow farmhouse in the 9000 block of Ladner Trunk Road.

Most of the animals - about 150 remain - live in a large red barn.

The property is owned by John van Dongen Sr., 75, whose nephew is Solicitor-General John van Dongen.

Van Dongen Sr. was once charged with cruelty to animals involving the care of horses, but he was not convicted.

He is seeking financial recompense from the SPCA.

Moriarty said the goal is not to shut down Forgotten Felines; charges are unlikely to be laid. The goal is to save the cats.

Penny March, who runs Forgotten Felines, objected in a statement to the cats' seizure, but refused to take questions.

"The SPCA took all our cats with AIDS and leukemia," she said. "They did not take any of the cats [that are well-cared for] in our shelter.

"We are fighting to save them and need everyone's help and prayers."

Full-time volunteer Briane Simmie-McConnell said the cats are well fed.

"I know how much the barn is cleaned and who gets antibiotics. I check on them every day," she said.

Van Dongen Sr., who lives nearby, accused the SPCA and police of heavy-handed tactics.

"There were five police cars here. What are me and the old woman going to do?" he asked.

Forgotten Felines volunteer Brianne Simmie-McConnell at the Delta shelter with a cat named Precious.