When you maintain a household, it’s inevitable that you will have laundry to do. Many of us dread this household chore, but it’s a mundane task that must be done time and time again as the loads pile up. For many of us, we have those old-fashioned hard plastic laundry baskets that take up lots of space. I know for myself, I have at least three, as well as four pop-up mesh laundry baskets. They’re easier to lug around and make for less elbows hitting the walls as you go from room to room. But I can say that those have gone straight to the trash since I heard Indi’s story…
When it comes to mesh laundry baskets, these are often found in homes everywhere as they’re a popular and convenient choice. Many cats love to lay on warm clothes. And they also have a fascination with laundry baskets much like they do with cardboard boxes.
But did you know that in a matter of a few seconds, these mesh laundry baskets can actually send your cat to an early grave?
One cat owner reached out to us to share her cat’s horror story which thankfully had a happy ending. But should she not have been home at the time, she’s not sure she could say the same…
Everyone knows that cats are naturally curious little beings. And this is especially true in the case of playful kittens. Anne and her husband currently have four active kittens in their care. While they were home and the kittens were wandering around, Anne heard a quiet little bang coming from the laundry room.
Indi with his siblings
Normally she wouldn’t think anything of it, but something in her mind told her to go check and see what the little commotion was about. Anne knows kittens are always getting into mischief, so she thought it best to go and assess the little situation.
She was grateful that she went with her instincts, because immediately upon walking into her laundry room she was sent into panic.
One of the boy kittens named Indi had somehow managed to get a handle from the popup laundry basket twisted around his neck. Acting quickly, Anne screamed to her husband who was in the other room in “blind sheer panic.”
Her husband shot up and ran to help the poor kitten whose neck was so tightly wound Anne could not even get one finger underneath the loop.
Indi was fighting for his life as it was clear he was unable to breathe, his body going limp. Her husband tried ripping it off with his bare hands while Anne raced to the kitchen to fetch the scissors.
The laundry basket that almost took Indi’s life (photo taken AFTER it had been cut to free him)
Anne says that, “It was touch and go but my husband finally cut Indi free.”
Poor Indi was immediately rushed into the veterinarian’s office. He was having difficulty breathing and his throat suffered injuries. Anne and her husband were both visibly upset upon arrival but equally relieved that their kitten made it through the terrifying ordeal.
For many pet owners, we often do not realize the many hidden dangers sitting in plain sight in our homes.
For Indi, his fate would have been much different should his cat mom and dad not have been home. Let this be a warning to you. Throw out such types of laundry baskets should you have curious cats in your homes! Pediatricians have also warned of their dangers for parents of young children.
We can never be too safe when it comes to our feline friends. Share this with other cat owners that you know to prevent tragic accidents from happening. And a special thank you to Anne for sharing her story so that others can be safe. These laundry baskets are certainly “a household item that appears innocent turned into a death trap.”
That’s a good point! Be careful of anything that is flimsy & easy for kitties to get into but can’t get out of them. I had a kitty who was sitting by the blinds with the cord on it. I tied the cord on a knot so he couldn’t net it wrapped around because he liked looking out the window. I was leaving for work & went to say bye to him when I noticed he was looking scared & not moving. He had gotten the cord wrapped around his neck. If he had moved or jumped down he would have tied it tighter & hung from it. He would have choked & died. Everything can be potentially dangerous. Luckily I unwrapped it but it could have been a deadly! Thank GOD I caught it in time. I was lucky! I’m so glad your kitter have the both of you to save the kiddy’s life.???
This story shows and talks of the white (comes in other colors) “Plastic” baskets, but it is the mesh ones that you have to “POP OPEN”… I was so confused trying to follow! It is NOT THE PLASTIC STATIONARY ONES!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, headline was misleading. I also thought the plastic ones. My lasting ones have handles built in to the sides and top, leaving no gaps. Also picture is misleading.
I always have to check washer and dryer because my rat loves jumping inside both of them I am always double checking everything before they get turned on.
Reusable shopping bags carry the same risk. My Plush got caught in my lunch bag handle (I got him out right away.) Anything with a strap has a risk.