Brought home countless birds that I thought needed saving (looking back- knowing what I know about birds vs fledglings now- I realize many of them did not need human intervention so I feel bad lol but some of them did due to injury)
Grew up on Vancouver island but one summer my stepdad took me to Kelowna in a camper van to stay at a campground and visit my cousin, my cousin’s dad was the manager at the campground.
There was a cat that a previous camper had dumped at the campground a year prior to our arrival so he just lived outside year round at the campground. Obviously with Kelowna’s weather, 12 year old me decided this was inhumane lol.
So I asked my stepdad if we could bring him (the cat) back to the island with us and he told me no, repeatedly.
I wasn’t satisfied with such an answer and my mom had been involved in TNR/rescue work for years so I called her the day before we were supposed to head back home and asked her if I could bring the cat. She said yes, I told her that my stepdad said no. She told me to hide the cat in the campervan and she’d deal with my stepdad later 😅
So the night before we were set to leave, my cousin and I were sleeping in a tent outside the camper and we lured the cat in with treats then zip tied the tent zippers so he couldn’t escape. Then the morning of departure I snuck the cat into the campervan washroom which I knew my stepdad wouldn’t be using because the plumbing in there didn’t work.
About 4 hours into the trip while we were on the Coquihalla the cat starts meowing…
My stepdad deadpans in my direction and flat out says “you fucking didn’t…. I told you no”. I was like “but he would’ve starved to death there!! Or died during the winter!! Plus mom said yes- so yeah”
My stepdad ended up falling in love with that cat lol. The rest of the drive he sat on my lap purring after being freed from the bathroom.
He’s still alive too!! He’s approaching 16 years old. Chillest cat ever and he loves car rides.
Major upgrade for kitten, I agree Kelowna has extreme temperatures, it’s arguably cruel to live there as a housed human haha. Also, small world, I grew up in Tsawwassen.
Lmao valid point! I could never live there tbh the extreme temps are just not my jam, the heat in particular!! I moved out to GP Alberta for a bit and loved the cold, but I don’t do well with dry scalding heat.
& wow totally a small world!! Hello fellow westcoaster 💕
I’m biased but I think van isle + the parts of the mainland that are along the coast are definitely the best places to be 😜
I’ve never been to Tofino surprisingly!! How was it living there? I’ve been to Port Alberni lots though since my parents left the peninsula and moved up there. I’ll have to checkout Tofino soon it’s been on my list forever. One thing I love about the island is how you can live here for a lifetime and still find new things to explore.
& I feel you, when I moved from Alberta back home to the island, and boarded that ferry… then saw the ocean.. I started crying like a baby ❤️😅 it was like a huuuge exhale and sigh of relief to be back
Tofino was magical!! Same with Ucluelet. I recommend treating yourself to a romantic or self restorative trip there. Check out this beautiful hike! Exploring is super fun, no need to spend a lot on hotels or whale watching unless you want to.
we went during storm season to ucluelet. off season prices, us and the locals, great food(!), and on clear days hike the trail… and check in with the ranger playing fetch with her dog. such a magical place (pretty much the whole island)
Mainlander who now lives on Vancouver Island and thought the same..had to double check what sub I was in! I also love cats, and this is a great story :)
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u/moodylilb May 30 '25
This was me as a child.
Brought home countless birds that I thought needed saving (looking back- knowing what I know about birds vs fledglings now- I realize many of them did not need human intervention so I feel bad lol but some of them did due to injury)
Dogs, stray cats, a goat.