Cat Found Frozen Thaws, Survives

(WBZ)  In the midst of the weekend's prolonged winter storm, Norfolk Animal Control Officer Hilary Cohen was driving through the snow, responding to a call about a cat.

It didn't look promising.

Cohen tells CBS Station WBZ Boston that the small gray and white cat appeared dead. She was stiff, showing no signs of life. "I kept her in the blanket and put her on my lap in the cruiser and headed to the hospital. Once in the car, I turned the heaters on and saw a whisker twitch. That was the real only sign of reflex I saw from her."

Cohen took the frozen feline to Acorn Animal Hospital, where veterinarians were ready to apply heat therapy and administer IV fluids, among other things. Cohen says the staff there "worked miracles on this little cat."

Days later, the cat is showing strong signs of recovery. The feline is walking, eating and drinking, which is why Cohen is trying to find the cat's owners. "She is very affectionate so (it) was definitely someone's pet and not a feral cat."

Animal control tells WBZ's Peg Rusoni that the cat's owners recognized the now-thawed cat as their own and will soon be reunited with their furry friend.

Local Video from WBZ in Boston

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[jimofoz]

Thank goodness they spent all that time and money on a cat instead of wasting it on some homeless dude.

[th9876]

Veterinarians don't treat people. There are services and places for homeless people to go when the weather is bad - if they choose to. Get a grip "dude".

[Geminry]

At least that cat doesn't bug me for spare change. I'd rather they saved the cat.

[BrianWX328m]

We had a cat that lived from kitten to age 17, indoors his whole life, and happy and content. Don't tell me this can't be done.

Cats do not "need" to be outdoors. That is a common fallacy.

Outdoors cats do not live as long becauase of many things: cars, predators(coyotes, etc), catching diseases from other cats, fighting with other cats, and even humans. And they get lost.

Any vet with half a brain will admit you should try to keep your cat indoors. No excuses, it is not that hard to pull off. Just control your stupid doors and watch your animal. And for those of you who have a hard time finding the cat, there are plenty of radio and GPS tracking devices to help.

One footnote: keep your cat out of MY yard and MY garden. When I find YOUR cat's feces in my property, you are giving me and your neighbors a big FU, basically, and I will dislike you and your cat forever.
I didn't plant this garden to be a catbox for your Fluffy.

[BrianWX328m]

Thank God this rare specimen was saved. I was worried the US was down to it's last 60 million cats.

[th9876]

It is about compassion for the suffering - and yes, animals are our equals when it comes to suffering. Seems your a little low on compassion.

[erasmus111]

by th9876 January 8, 2010 3:15 PM EST
Seems your a little low on compassion.


I think he's a little low on something else too.

[sunspro]

Why does a cat have to be "indoor" or "outdoor"? My cats have always gone outdoors for recreation and stayed indoors for companionship and comfort. My favorite tabby died at 20, so living a normal life is not bad for cats.

[obwan222]

"I would never condemn a cat to living a totally indoor life."

An indoor cat has a normal life expectancy - about 15 or 16 years.

The indoor/outdoor cat lives on average less than 5 years.

So who's taking better care of their pets?

An indoor cat can have a full happy life but they need to be provided with an interesting environment, toys that they love and regular playtime with their owners to keep them active.

[erasmus111]

"The indoor/outdoor cat lives on average less than 5 years."


Hmmm, I'm not so sure about that.

I had a cat that died at 17 years old, another at 13 years old, and another at 12 years old. And I have one now that is 15 years old and isn't even close to dying. He's very healthy. All indoor cats.

Indoor cats should live longer because they aren't getting into fights, eating poisons, cutting themselves, getting infections, etc.

[Camth]

"Hmmm, I'm not so sure about that.

I had a cat that died at 17 years old, another at 13 years old, and another at 12 years old. And I have one now that is 15 years old and isn't even close to dying. He's very healthy. All indoor cats."

What is your point? That your indoor cats were very healthy and lived long lives? That is exactly what Obwan222 was saying. What are you 'not sure about'? Unless you thought that "indoor/outdoor" meant both indoor cats and outdoor cats, rather than cats who are sometimes indoors, sometimes outdoors.

And those you who are saying "well MY cat lived to be 225 years old and he is an outdoor cat", that is called anecdotal evidence. The studies done on the life expectancy of indoor cats vs. outdoor (or indoor/outdoor) are very, very clear. Outdoor cats have a life expectancy of 4-5 years, and usually die violently (generally from a car).

It is vastly healthier for a cat to stay inside, and it does not hurt their feelings to do so. They need a stimulating environment, just like a dog or any other animal, and if you aren't willing to provide that then you shouldn't have animals period. The only people who should outdoor cats are people who have barn cats to keep down the pests (feral cats are awesome at this, and it provides a home for a cat who would have a hard time adjusting to domesticated life), rather than people who live in the 'burbs and let their cats roam.

Honestly, just try giving your indoor/outdoor cat a few months inside. The cat will complain hard, at first, as my hubby's cat did, but will generally settle down. People usually give up early on, and then think that their cat is special and can never stay indoors exclusively.

[catsarebest]

I've had cats for decades and have NEVER had a problem with them staying inside. Sure I had a few "escapes" but my life came to a screeching halt in order to find the bring the cat safely back inside. Animals should NOT be outside at all but especially not in these frigid conditions we are having. The "owner" does not deserve to have this cat back. The officer said she was thin and appeared to have been lost for a long time. For those who want to pull the "stop eating your hamburger and wearing your leather" argument you can stuff it, because I'm vegetarian and I don't wear leather =)

[bjo1109]

I can't believe you said "Animals should NOT be outside at all..." What planet are you from? Cats are indoor/outdoor animals by nature. I would never condemn a cat to living a totally indoor life.

[erasmus111]

by bjo1109 January 7, 2010 12:23 PM EST
I would never condemn a cat to living a totally indoor life.

I have talked to several vets about that, and they all said that it wasn't "condemning" them. They are quite content indoors. Give them a place to look out the window and they are great. I have my deck enclosed so they can go outside and get fresh air. I have birdfeeders to attract the birds. So they are more than content watching them and the squirrels. They also have climbing posts.

When you are keeping your cats indoors, you are doing them, yourself, and your neighbors a favour. They aren't getting hurt by other cats, racoons, freezing, etc, you aren't having to pay enormous vet bills, and the neighbors don't have to put up with poop in their gardens.

[ddog88]

The nine lives thing must be true.

[edgy44]

My cat HAS to go out every morning. It is a ritual. So, on a day when it's too cold to even breathe, it takes off, hops the fence, and is gone. I came home for lunch, still no cat, so I walked around the block calling him. Went back to work. Later that evening about 8pm I hear a weak meow, and I open the door to see this half-frozen cat walk in and plop itself in a corner. Cats are stupid. Do not accept a barn cat for a house cat, these damned things are half-feral. My cat has to have a real mouse to tear the head off, or he goes further insane.

[erasmus111]

"Cats are stupid. Do not accept a barn cat for a house cat, these damned things are half-feral. My cat has to have a real mouse to tear the head off, or he goes further insane."


Are you sure it's the cats that are stupid?

[edgy44]

No.

[andie52]

wonderful rescue but I wouldn't give the cat back to the owners who let her out in the first place. even indoor out door cats haven't wanted to run out in this weather.

[cvanoff]

Awww, what a sweet baby! Good to see a happy ending. >^.,.^<