Vanished Cat Turns Up Where?

Employees at a Kentucky dentist’s office were reattaching vent covers when meowing was heard under the building. A passerby then called PETA for advice.

A pretty black-and-white cat had apparently darted inside an open vent while the covers were off, but then was unable to get back out. We were able to secure the release of the cat and convinced the caller, who planned to adopt the cat, to first take her to a shelter to be scanned for a microchip. Sure enough, the cat, named Minnie, had been lost for six long weeks, and her guardian was desperately searching for her.

Minnie was lucky she was discovered before she starved to death or was seriously injured in the ventilation system and that the people who found her were kindhearted. Other cats who are let outside unattended aren’t always so lucky. Outdoor cats are often abused by cruel people, hit by cars, poisoned, attacked by other animals, or stolen and sold for use in experiments or as bait for dogfights. Don’t learn the hard way—keep cats safely inside, as Minnie’s grateful guardian assures us she will do from now on.

Written by Michelle Sherrow