A suspected case of cat abuse in Flin Flon, Man., has the head of the local animal shelter urging the provincial government to hire an animal protection officer for the north.

Eight cats, showing signs of abuse and neglect, were recently brought into the Flin Flon, Creighton and Area SPCA, says manager Carmen Ward.

Ward said she does not have the legal authority to remove animals from abusive situations, as there is no animal protection officer in Flin Flon.

Carmen Ward of the Flin Flon, Creighton and Area SPCA says the eight cats that were recently brought to the shelter show signs of neglect and/or abuse. (Submitted by Carmen Ward) Instead, she has to call Winnipeg and request that an officer come up to investigate — a process that she said can take weeks and doesn't come with any guarantee.

"It's really disturbing because, you know, situations like this don't need to happen," she told CBC News on Monday.

"For years, we've wanted one. We were turned down. You know, I think maybe we need to start looking into other ways of just letting them know that we need help here in the north."

Ward said the SPCA did ask the province for an animal protection officer to be appointed for northern Manitoba two years ago, but they were told that one was not needed.

The shelter's board plans to ask again, she added.

CBC News has tried to contact the provincial government official in charge of appointing animal protection officers, but that person is currently away on vacation.