This past Thursday, a cat named Hidey was brought in to the Animal Rescue League Shelter & Wildlife Center in Pittsburgh, carrying an extra 2 pounds of hair on her small frame.
The shocking Facebook post left many wondering if the photos were a hoax. Hidey’s calico coat had matted into long, thick tubes that must have taken several years to form.
Hidey’s owner recently passed away and must have been having trouble tending to the cat’s grooming needs for some time. An Animal Rescue League post from Friday read as follows:
“She suffered from severe matting (dreadlocks, really), the likes of which had been neglected for years. Our Medical team shaved off the pounds of intertwined fur from her body &, needless to say, this cat is feeling so much better now!”
Not much has been released about Hidey’s former owner except that he or she was elderly and has passed away. The cat appears to be healthy and well-fed aside from the severe matting, prompting Facebook users to warn against judging this person too harshly.
Senior citizens often need assistance caring for their pets as they age. If no close friends or relatives are available, veterinary and grooming care often become too much to handle. This does not mean that Hidey’s owner did not love her or intentionally neglected her.
The Animal Rescue League recommends using Hidey’s story as a reminder to look out for senior citizens and their pets – they may be too proud to ask for the help they need. They posted:
Please remember to not only check on the elderly in your community, but also check on their animals to prevent instances like this from happening in the future.
A distant relative of Hidey’s owner has agreed to take her in and care for her. Let’s hope her new haircut is a fresh start to a happy, healthy new life.
