Four kittens died after being found abandoned in a carrier in Ottawa last month

The Provincial Animal Welfare Services is investigating the deaths of four kittens that were found abandoned in a carrier in Ottawa's east end last month.

Ottawa Bylaw and Regulatory Services says a member of the public found five kittens abandoned in their carrier on Aug. 22 and took the cats to the Overbrook Community Centre for care.

"These kittens were in very poor shape," Bylaw Services said on Twitter.

Staff contacted Bylaw Services, and staff rushed the kittens to an emergency vet.

Four of the kittens passed away. Stephen Smith of the Ottawa Humane Society says the condition of the four kittens "deteriorated very rapidly" after arriving at the vet for care.

"Sometimes it’s no longer possible for an owner to take care of their pets, and this is understandable. However, it is never acceptable to let animals suffer," Bylaw Services said.

The fifth kitten, an eight-week-old named Keebler, remains in the care of the Ottawa Humane Society and is not currently available for adoption.

"Overall, we're very optimistic that he'll be just fine and find his forever home," Smith said.

Keebler is in foster care after being found abandoned in Ottawa's east end in August. Four other kittens found in a carrier later passed away. (Peter Szperling/CTV News Ottawa)

Bylaw Services has gathered information and evidence to provide to the Provincial Animal Welfare Services for investigation.

We rushed the kittens to an emergency vet, but we are very sad to report that four passed away.

Sometimes it’s no longer possible for an owner to take care of their pets, and this is understandable.

However, it is never acceptable to let animals suffer. (2/3) #OttCity pic.twitter.com/e3UtzpjNk4

— Ottawa By-law (@OttawaBylaw) September 15, 2022

This was the third time since the end of May that Ottawa Bylaw Services has received a call to pickup abandoned cats.

Three kittens were found abandoned in a cat carrier on Don Reid Drive near St. Laurent Boulevarrd on July 1. One of the kittens passed away.

In May, a mother and her four kittens were found outside a PetSmart on Innes Road.

The Ottawa Humane Society says if you no longer want your pet or can't afford to take care of them, you can contact animal rescue agencies, post an ad online or contact the humane society.

"Really, that is one of the most responsible things an owner can do," Smith said.

"If they realize there is an obstacle in their life that will prevent them from caring for pet or provide the care that they really need, giving their pet to the Ottawa Humane Society is often the right choice to make."

Smiths says when an animal is dropped off, staff will conduct an assessment to determine if they can meet its medical and behavioural needs.

"Once we figure out what those needs are exactly, and we’ve been able to address them - we’ll start looking for that animal’s perfect forever home."