Kittens found in a shipping container in Lumby, a female cat rescued from an engine bay, and starving kittens that were discovered out at Cosen's Bay are just a few of the felines needing saving lately in the area.

In the last two weeks alone, the Okanagan Humane Society (OHS) has taken in over 50 animals from the North Okanagan.

The skyrocketing demand for helping cats in the area is greater than OHS has ever seen in its 28 years.

"We are finding that the influx of stray and abandoned cats and kittens, reported and referred to us daily, is stretching our resources in Vernon and surrounding communities farther than ever before," OHS said.

Lovely, a very pregnant mama cat was found in Vernon and is in need of a safe place to give birth to her babies that are due any day now.

Three eight-week-old kittens, found starving, were safely rescued from the bushes at Cosen鈥檚 Bay Beach with the help of several volunteers.

Eight beautiful Bengal-tabby kittens were rescued from a colony of more than 17 cats begging for food on a property in the BX area.

"The kittens are safe in our care today, with volunteers actively catching, spaying/neutering the rest this week," according to OHS.

A white female cat was found hiding in the engine bay of a car in Vernon, covered in dirt and grease. She is now safe, vet-treated, cleaned up and being cared for by an OHS foster family.

Ten small kittens were found alone on two different farms this week, just weeks old, reportedly dumped on properties in Armstrong and Coldstream, before being scooped up by their rescuers.

Another 10 kittens and two mother cats were found hiding from the heat in a shipping container in Lumby, finally rescued after days of dedication from volunteers.

"These are real, ongoing cases. The lives of local animals in Vernon and surrounding communities are relying on OHS to provide medical care and shelter, and we need your help in order to keep saying 'yes,'" OHS urges, desperate for foster homes, adoptions and donations.

"Many of these animals are tame and we need foster families to place them with, after their initial veterinary care at intake, and until they are ready for adoption."

Every donation helps cover critical veterinary care and treatments that rescued animals need prior to adoption.

"Please consider opening your heart and home by fostering animals or making a donation today to support our work. Together, we can continue to provide animals in North Okanagan, and the rest of the Okanagan Valley and Shuswap with the second chance they deserve."