Hi I need help....
a neighbor of mine has a house cat that they have had for 6 yrs, it has never seen a vet, she says it is peeing all over the house, so she has put it out on there 2nd floor porch, it has been out there for 3 days... We live in Massachusett's so it is COLD, I have called the animal control officer but get a recording...New Years Eve day I think everyone is off. I called the local humane but also a recording.... I have two cat's of my own so can't take the cat in here, I just had to put our little dog Buttons of 16 years to sleep this month it has broken our hearts NOW to know there is a furbaby out in the cold is killing me...ANY help would be welcomed...
Thanking you in advance, Evelyn, Button's Mommy.
a cat left out in the cold
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melissaranks
- Posts: 118
- Joined: Sun Sep 07, 2003 7:04 pm
- Location: Southern Illinois
Re: a cat left out in the cold
As sad as it is, you can probably do nothing right now because of the holiday. Talk to your neighbor. Maybe you can talk her into taking it to the emergency vet. I'm sure they are open. If she won't do it, run to your local Wal-Mart and by an electric heat FAN. These are much less dangerous and mine only cost $10. You shouldn't be able to see any 'red' coils, but might see some coils (like those of a hair drier). Offer it to your neighbor to put on the porch. That way it'll at least have some heat. Poor kitty.
Melissa - Skinmom to furkids (in order of age) Booker (tuxedo cat), Pepperanne (Cocker Spaniel), and D'Artagnan (solid black kitty)
Re: a cat left out in the cold
Depending on your local law enforcement policies, you can also try calling the police dept and filing an animal abuse complaint (weather extremes) and see if they can direct you to a direct line to the animal shelter director or your local humane society chapter director. I would first try speaking to the owner directly first, and explaining that cold weather extremes can be consequential and even lethal if the temp falls below 32° (also take wind-chill factor into account).....as well as explain to the owner that putting a cat outdoors simply for spraying behavior is cruel punishment. If you get any grief from the owner, then you could tell them a complaint will be filed against them.
In the immediate sense, this kitty needs shelter from the cold, snow and blistering wind (again, wind chill factors can push the temp well below freezing temps).....without shelter, he risks suffering from severe frostbite, severe dehydration (are they at least feeding/watering him?), and other cold weather concerns. If you have an eclosed garage, perhaps you can keep him there for warmth and shelter until you can get something worked out with the owner and/or shelter. This neighbor of yours could face a heavy fine if she is found to guilty of animal abuse (most states consider an owned animal left outdoors without shelter in cold weather extremes, indeed animal abuse). Also, most shelters do leave a message on their answering machines, an emergency number to contact...or you can call a local vet or ER vet for further help and support.
In the immediate sense, this kitty needs shelter from the cold, snow and blistering wind (again, wind chill factors can push the temp well below freezing temps).....without shelter, he risks suffering from severe frostbite, severe dehydration (are they at least feeding/watering him?), and other cold weather concerns. If you have an eclosed garage, perhaps you can keep him there for warmth and shelter until you can get something worked out with the owner and/or shelter. This neighbor of yours could face a heavy fine if she is found to guilty of animal abuse (most states consider an owned animal left outdoors without shelter in cold weather extremes, indeed animal abuse). Also, most shelters do leave a message on their answering machines, an emergency number to contact...or you can call a local vet or ER vet for further help and support.
..........Traci