Thousands of animals have died in the B.C. floods, thousands more need help

​Lana Popham, B.C.'s minister of agriculture, said the province is seeing an 'animal welfare' issue develop, especially in the Fraser Valley region.

“This is a very difficult time for agriculture in B.C. and our producers, especially in the Fraser Valley,” ​Lana Popham, B.C.’s minister of agriculture, said in a news conference Wednesday.

Thousands of animals have died in the floods that resulted from two days of record-breaking torrential rain.

Hundreds of farms have been affected by flooding, with some still underwater, Popham said.

She said there are some “difficult issues” the government is dealing with around animal welfare.

“We have thousands of animals that have perished and we have many, many more that are in difficult situations and we’re seeing an animal welfare issue develop.”

They are getting veterinarians to farms but Popham there will have to be euthanizations.

In addition, there are animals that have survived but are in critical need of food and supplies.

Popham said officials have made contact with feed mills, and organizations across Canada to get access to food for the animals.