Cats are often thought of as self-sufficient animals that can easily take care of themselves. They roam outside for hours, coming home just to eat and groom their fur, which makes them seem low-maintenance. However, some cats, like Hidey, have coats that need regular grooming. If their owners can’t keep up with the grooming, it can lead to a tangled mess that can be difficult to fix.
Hidey’s story is a tough one. Her owner had Alzheimer’s disease and was unable to provide the care she needed. As a result, Hidey went years without proper grooming. When animal rescuers finally came to her aid, she was so covered in ‘dreadlocks’ that she looked like an octopus!
The rescue began when Hidey’s owner was taken to a nursing home. Observant neighbors saw Hidey and immediately called the Animal Rescue League Shelter and Wildlife Center in Pittsburgh. “We couldn’t ignore her suffering,” one of the rescuers shared, filled with urgency.
Experts believed that Hidey had likely been neglected for nearly two years, with some of her dreadlocks measuring an astonishing 6 to 8 inches long!
Dr. Jenn Levitzki, a compassionate vet who dedicated her time to help Hidey, recorded the rescue process in an emotional video she posted on Facebook. “This is the worst matting I have ever seen in a cat. She has dreadlocks!” she declared, her voice a mix of shock and determination. To make Hidey more comfortable, the veterinary team decided to lightly sedate her before starting the grooming process.
As the vet team carefully worked to shave off the layers of matted fur, they revealed the beautiful cat hidden underneath all that tangled mess. “She suffered from severe matting—dreadlocks, really—something that had been completely neglected for years,” a post on the shelter’s Facebook page reported.
“Our medical team shaved off the pounds of intertwined fur from her body. And needless to say, this cat is feeling so much better now!”
Once Hidey was finally free from her heavy coat, she found a new home with a distant relative of her former owner. Her story serves as a powerful reminder about the importance of keeping an eye on our elderly neighbors and their pets.
Let’s take a moment to remember that a little bit of care can make a huge difference. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below as a gentle reminder to always look out for our elderly loved ones and their furry companions!
