A Wellington cattery owner confirmed that two cats, previously unaccounted for after a fire over the weekend, had escaped the building.
The fire occurred at the CareVets cattery, located in a two-story building on Mahora Street in Kilbirnie. The building has been red-stickered, meaning it is unsafe for occupancy. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the blaze.
Owner Nick Cooper reported that humane traps have been set around the site in an effort to capture the missing cats. He said four cats had escaped the building during the fire, and two have since been found. “We caught one yesterday and another today. We now know that two cats are still unaccounted for, and we are continuing our search,” said Cooper.
Cooper also mentioned that all cat owners, except for one, have been notified about their pets’ whereabouts.
The fire, which broke out at around 11:50 pm, completely gutted the building. Emergency services worked for over two hours to bring the fire under control. Approximately ten cats were believed to be inside at the time, though the exact number is unclear as staff have not yet been able to access records or computers.
Firefighters entered the building to rescue the animals, with some cats receiving immediate treatment. Cooper praised the emergency responders, noting that some cats were placed on oxygen before being transferred to a nearby veterinary clinic for further care.
At least six people were in the apartments above the clinic during the fire, but all managed to evacuate safely.
The SPCA has been active in the area, setting traps to capture any cats that may have escaped the premises.
Cooper expressed gratitude for the swift and coordinated response from emergency services and his own team. He is hopeful that once he gains access to the building, he will have a clearer picture of how many cats survived the fire.
