The Niagara SPCA and Humane Society says over the span of four days, it has received 76 cats that were either surrendered or found abandoned.

Amelia Canto, CEO of the Niagara SPCA and Humane Society, told Global News on Wednesday they are continuing to have even more cats come in.

“This is usually a busy time with the season,” Canto said.

“It’s basically kitten season right now, so the fact that 76 arrived at one time was very overwhelming for us. They are fortunately in good health.”

It all started when 10 kittens were found huddled inside a box and left in a public park, the SPCA said on its website, while nine more cats arrived after a person was evicted and their cats were left with nowhere to go.

Over those four days, other cats — some of them pregnant — came in, while others came in still nursing their litter of kittens.

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But the society says the final blow was 14 female cats found inside a wire dog crate, abandoned in another park with nothing but a handwritten note saying: “Please find these cats a home. I am unable to care for them! I’m sorry.”

The massive increase in felines now brings the total number of cats and kittens being cared for by the Niagara SPCA to 221.

“All the precious lives are now safe in our care, but we’re stretched to the limit,” said Tammy Gaboury, animal care manager, on the SPCA’s website.

“We’ve planned for busy seasons. We couldn’t have planned for this.”

To cope with massive increase of cats under their care, the society is asking people to donate to help with care costs.

Canto says several pet stores have taken some of the cats to feature them as available in the store, as well as donated items for pets in need. Several vets are also stepping up to help cover some surgery and care costs, Canto added.

While under the SPCA’s care, each cat is given flea and parasite control, vaccinated, and received a full physical exam.

Gaboury said on the SPCA’s website they also spay or neuter all cats to help avoid overpopulation, and make it easier for them to find a new home.

“No cat should be left in a park, in a box, or behind a locked door. Please consider giving now to be part of their rescue story,” Gaboury says.

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After nearly two weeks, police in Niagara Falls, Ont., say they have finally caught up with a man who is accused of fatally running over an 82-year-old man with his own car.

The ordeal began on July 17, when officers were dispatched to Charles Daley Park in Lincoln at around  9:45 a.m. after a report that a vehicle had hit a pedestrian and fled the scene.

Two days later, police revealed that 82-year-old Larry Pearce of St. Catharines had succumbed to his injuries suffered in the collision while in hospital.

Police said Pearce had been at the park for about 40 minutes before he began to drive off. As he was leaving the parking lot, “he stopped and engaged in an interaction with unknown suspect(s).”

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Pearce then got out of the vehicle to talk with them and that was when a suspect hopped in and took control of the wheel, according to police. They say Pearce then jumped in front of the vehicle in an attempt to stop the thief from making off with his Honda CR-V but he fell to the ground and the SUV drove off.

Three days after the incident, police announced they were looking to speak with Davy Rocchetti in connection with the incident. They did not say whether the man was a suspect but did say he was wanted on charges unrelated to the hit and run, including mischief under $5,000, theft under $5,000 and operation while prohibited.

Then, on July 23, police announced that Rocchetti was facing a second-degree murder charge in connection with Pearce’s death and that officers were seeking a Canada-wide warrant in their search for the man.

Police said Rocchetti had been spotted in the 2012 grey Honda CR-V in Mississauga along with his pitbull-style dog.

Then last Thursday, police from Peel Region were dispatched to North Sheridan Way in Mississauga for a vehicle fire.

It was later confirmed to be the missing CR-V, according to police, who said a man was seen walking away from the SUV after it had been set ablaze.

Police say they finally caught up with Pearce on Tuesday night, arresting him for second-degree murder and taking him back to Niagara Region.

Police did not say where the arrest was made but noted that officers from Niagara, Peel and Toronto were involved.

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