Jan 26, 2013 2 min read

Strangely, it seems as if it is early spring because that is when cats are most often abandoned at horse barns, in the country, at farms, in trailer courts or even on interstate roads. Sadly, we are in the middle of winter, when, if there is no shelter, the winds are cold and water freezes. Old cats nearing kidney failure will die a painful death and younger cats or kittens do not have the street smarts to know what to do. For example: Someone abandoned a group of kittens a while back, and none survived and one was found shredded, no doubt by an annoyed raccoon. Beautiful long-haired kittens were also abandoned, and were vulnerable to nasty, hungry raccoons, freely roaming pet dogs and busy people who have no time to take care of your unwanted pets.

A frightened kitten is also open to becoming feral and therefore unadoptable should someone attempt to rescue it.

One of the worse cruelties in this process is believing that an elderly, sick cat or a family pet will survive outside with other, more worldly animals. If you’re going to love an animal but can’t keep it, at least attempt to find a home for it, by placing an ad or calling a rescue group. Abandonment is never the answer.

Anita Biers

Washington