A woman taking a walk in Seymour, CT, discovered an orange tabby cat, later named Oscar, trapped inside a walk-in litter box. At first, she didn’t realize the 11 1/2-year-old cat was inside the box. Then, she heard him and investigated further.
Sadly, someone covered the litter box door with cardboard and masking tape. If the woman hadn’t happened by and taken close notice, Oscar would have been exposed to the freezing temperatures of an ice storm two days later.
“The litterbox was filthy inside, and the cat’s paws were bloodied from trying to scratch his way out,” Animal Control officer Karen Lombardi told the CTPost.
In her career, she had never seen something like this.
“I’ve never seen a cat in a dirty litter box on the side of the road,” Lombardi said.
Karen Lombardi with Oscar via New Haven Register
Oscar was Petrified
Inside, Oscar was extremely frightened, Lombardi said. Otherwise, though, he appeared well-fed, which made it “even more perplexing” why someone did this.
“He’s petrified out of his mind. His pupils are dilated. He must have been an indoor cat,” she said.
Oscar the cat, Woodbridge Regional Animal Shelter
Her office is investigating to find whoever committed the act of animal cruelty, which could result in arrest, she said. The case attracted the attention of Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, who visited Oscar in the shelter. The Hartford animal welfare caucus co-chairwoman said the “beautiful” kitty “melted in her arms when she held him.”
“I went to visit Oscar, the cat that was left abandoned in a taped-up litter box in Seymour. He’s a little love muffin. All hugs and kisses from this guy,” she wrote on Facebook. “It breaks my heart that someone would do this to an animal when they have so many options,” she said.
Oscar with Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria via Facebook
Unfortunately, Lombardi has seen cases of animal abandonment going up, even though rescue groups, shelters, and the Humane Society take abandoned animals.
“TThere’sno reason to abandon an animal,” Lombardi said. “We want them to stop doing this. This is not about anything else but being decent to animals,” Lombardi said.
So, there are simple and decent steps to take rather than abandoning a pet in such a cruel and wicked manner.
🧁🧡 Love Muffin Finds Forever Home 🧡🧁
Thanks to the unnamed woman, Oscar made it safely to the Woodbridge Regional Animal Shelter, where he received his nickname. After the traumatic experience, he was very grumpy with staff, hence the name after Oscar the Grouch.
However, his real personality emerged over time, as he healed completely and was neutered. Now, he’s a loveable and affectionate senior kitty.
Happily, they shared the news shared that Oscar found a forever home, where he’ll have a pampered retirement.
“His new human has had lots of experience with pet cats and recently lost her cat to old age,” Lombardi said.
“I think he’ll get all the attention, which he definitely deserves,” she said. “He’s had a lot of competition in his life – we want to have him be the spoiled, pampered pet of someone.”
Image via Facebook
