One of the fallouts from the apartment fire that ripped through Pinecrest Manor in New Westminster earlier this month is that many cats remain missing.

Signs can be seen along the fencing surrounding the building, listing multiple missing cats that people desperately want to be reunited with. 

The site is restricted to staff and crews due to hazardous conditions, but the City of New Westminster and the chief of New Westminster Fire and Rescue Service (NWFRS) say that the security fencing does not prevent cats from getting out of the rubble. 

“We know residents are anxious to see searches take place, and we share that urgency,” said Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Gill. “We know how important these cats are to the people who love them, and our hearts go out to everyone still waiting for answers. 

“Right now, however, the condition of the site simply does not allow anyone to enter. Our responsibility is to ensure everyone’s safety, and that means waiting until the hazards can be addressed before any additional work can take place.”

Nicole and Stephanie Tolea, part of a group of cat fire rescue volunteers, are working hard to make reunions happen.  

With the use of “stinky” wet cat food and a thermal camera, they are hoping more of the missing cats escape the site. 

“They could come out through that gap or another gap through here or over the fence and if he follows it through here, it’s gonna go into the trap. Because our cams are satellite, they immediately send photos to our phone via an app,” said Nicole Tolea of the rescue efforts.

The City of New Westminster says that Animal Services is conducting patrols of the area to help locate the missing cats. 

“We are willing to put in the work. We’ve done this before,” said Stephanie Tolea.

“Even if we could just get access behind these fence lines to set things a little closer to the cats that might be scared. We’d have bigger success and [a] bigger chance of getting them home safely.”

On top of the efforts of the Toleas, Animal Services is working in conjunction with NWFRS and the  Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association (VOKRA).

The agencies are using trail cameras, traps and sheltered crates to try to safely recover the missing cats that might be in and around the property. 

“We know how difficult it is to wait for news about a missing pet,” said Kathryn Holm, Acting Director of Engineering and Public Works. “Our Animal Services officers remain dedicated to reuniting displaced cats with their families and are working closely with crews and community partners in this ongoing effort.” 

“Cats are incredibly resilient and often return to places that are familiar to them. Every report we receive helps build a clearer picture of where these cats are moving and helps focus our response.”

The City of New Westminster encourages people to make reports of missing or located cats to New Westminster Animal Services at 604-519-2008.