So we have all seen them – the stray cats roaming our neighborhoods. Some look OK and have lived there for years, getting food on their own, not bothering anyone. Others may be ones that people left behind, who seem to try and get into your house, looking for food and warmth. And some aren’t really strays at all. They are your neighbor’s cats. Cats they own, that just like to go exploring.
For the most part, out of these three groups, we see the ones that people just dumped and left behind. The ones who do not know how to find food or warmth and end up barely surviving, looking like they are dying. These are the ones most people call into animal control about and when they do, they end up with us. Two particular cases lately have been sad ones — ones that have haunted us.
First off is Maggie. Maggie was found down by the Southside School. She was so thin she couldn’t really stand. A concerned citizen got a hold of animal control and she was brought to us one afternoon. We knew right away she was one that was left to fend for herself and sadly, she did not do a good job. She was loaded with fleas and worms. She was so dehydrated and starving, she could not eat fast enough. We have seen this before, so we knew to feed small meals and get some fluids into her. After a bath and a good meal, she laid down and took a long nap, knowing she was safe now. We gave her lots of TLC for a few days and now she is in foster care, getting lots of good food and love. She is thriving with the care she is getting. It doesn’t take much. Just time and the proper care. She will be ok, because someone did the right thing and contacted us. This story for Maggie will have a happy ending.
Next is Morris. Sadly, he was much worse off than Maggie. He came to us through the Houlton Police Department one night. We knew he was in very bad shape. He was at least 12 years old or more and weighed less than a pound. Every bone in his body was frail. You couldn’t even hold him, as you were scared he would break. He had the biggest heart. He purred nonstop, knowing he was finally cared for and warm. I took him home with me, giving him fluids every few hours. He ate very well. He would walk around my kitchen, just begging for love. He stayed with me for two nights, getting so much love and attention. Late the second night, I got up to give him his medicine and fluids and I noticed he wasn’t acting like he was earlier. He seemed very tired and just sad. So I stayed with him for a few minutes after I was done, telling him it was OK, that he was safe and no one would ever hurt him again. He laid back down on the bench and fell asleep. I got up the next morning and he was in the same spot. Sadly, he did not wake up. He passed away in his sleep. I truly believe he felt safe and knew it was OK to close his eyes finally. And when he did, his body was exhausted and just shut down. He too could have been prevented. He could have been saved had we gotten him earlier. He was neutered, so at one point had someone who cared. This person dumped him … threw him out like garbage and he was alone for years probably. We at HHS can feel a little better knowing he didn’t die alone.
These cats roaming that look so bad shouldn’t have to end up like these two. They shouldn’t have to look for food or a place to stay warm. We need to help them. You can do this by calling your ACO or local shelter if you see a sick cat. You can help by offering food to a neighbor, who maybe is leaving their cats outside. We owe it to them to be a voice. We owe it to them to help.
