Gut-Wrenching Photos of Injured Kitten Show How Littering Hurts ALL Animals

Gut-wrenching photos of a kitten rescued from the streets of Jacksonville, Florida, are showing the devastating effects that littering can have on animals:

It’s believed that the kitten became entangled in the discarded plastic six-pack ring when he was smaller. Vets who treated him surmised that as he grew, the plastic became increasingly embedded in his skin and muscle tissue, limiting his mobility and creating deep wounds.

Litter Kills Animals

Please don’t ever litter. Animals of all kinds often mistake trash for food or shelter. Securely cover garbage cans and recycle bins so that animals can’t get into them and become trapped inside. And don’t forget to keep an eye out for other people’s trash, too. Your actions could be the difference between life and death for an animal.

Everyday items such as soda cans and plastic bottles can be deadly to unsuspecting wildlife—and even dogs and cats. But it doesn’t have to be that way!

Six-packs of soda often come strung together by plastic rings. This feral cat also got her head caught in one of them. All you have to do is cut apart all sections of the six-pack rings, including the inner diamonds.

‘Outdoor’ Cats Are at Great Risk

Cats who are left outdoors are also vulnerable to contagious diseases, parasite infestations, starvation, dehydration, freezing, heatstroke, attacks by dogs and other predators, and traffic. Cruel people often poison, shoot, burn, drown, or otherwise torture and kill cats.

You can give your cat the best life possible by keeping him or her happy and stimulated indoors. If you do venture outside together, be sure to use a secure harness and leash or keep your feline companion closely supervised in an enclosed environment.