The Great Outdoors? Not for Cats! 2016

Below is just a sampling of some of the horrible fates that have befallen stray, feral, and free-roaming cats. Countless others have died frightened and alone under porches or behind dumpsters, without anyone ever noticing what became of them.

December 2016/Titusville, Florida: ClickOrlando.com reported that more than a dozen cats who were allowed to roam outdoors without supervision in a neighborhood had been killed by dogs who were also roaming without supervision. One cat was found “torn up into five pieces.” Another was seen being mauled by two dogs and then died in his or her owner’s arms. A third cat was found injured and bleeding and had to be euthanized. Authorities were investigating.

December 2016/Old Town, Maine: WABI.tv reported that an apparently homeless cat had been found frozen in hay at a nativity scene. A good Samaritan, who assumed that the cat was dead, began removing him for disposal when he started to cry. He was taken to an animal hospital, where his temperature was too low to read. He was also described as severely malnourished, was unresponsive, and had to be resuscitated twice. He was being treated but, according to a hospital spokesperson, had a “long road ahead of him.”

December 2016/Kona, Hawaii: KHON2.com reported that a cat who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found in a parking lot, unable to move and with an arrow through his or her body. The animal was alive when found but “eventually died.” Authorities said they had received nearly a dozen reports in 2016 of the torture or poisoning of cats in the community and had received complaints from residents who perceived a homeless-cat population in the area as a nuisance. The reports were being investigated, and no suspects were identified.

December 2016/Kanawha County, West Virginia: ABC6OnYourSide.com reported that three of four cats who had apparently been left homeless after their owner was placed in a nursing home had been tortured. A man pleaded guilty to three counts of cruelty to animals in connection with the case and was sentenced to 18 months in jail. One cat was killed and dismembered, one was partially skinned alive, and one was stabbed through the forehead, eyeball, and mouth. The fourth appeared to be unharmed. The three surviving cats were receiving treatment at an animal shelter.

December 2016/Toledo, Ohio: 13ABC.com reported that a homeless cat had been hit by a car, which badly injured one of his legs. A good Samaritan took him to a veterinary hospital but couldn’t afford the cost to have his leg amputated so put him back on the street. By the time someone else took him to a veterinarian, “[h]is paw was curling under … his claws were growing into his leg and his leg was infected from dragging on the ground.” His leg was amputated, and he was recovering.

December 2016/Moss Point, Mississippi: SunHerald.com reported that a cat who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found curled up in the fetal position, dead under a house. Authorities and volunteers had searched for the animal after video footage was shared online that showed that a woman poured hot liquid over the cat, who was confined to a box trap, as the animal struggled, flinched, and vocalized. A post-mortem examination revealed that the cat had suffered thermal burns over the majority of his or her body. Authorities were investigating and had identified people of interest. According to a later report, one of two suspects had surrendered to authorities.

December 2016/Parlier, California: YourCentralValley.com reported that a kitten who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found shot in the head. She was taken to a veterinary hospital, where X-rays revealed pellets still lodged behind her eye, which had become infected. She was receiving treatment. Authorities were investigating, but no suspects were identified.

December 2016/Woonsocket, Rhode Island: TurnTo10.com reported that two cats who were allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found shot to death days after they failed to return home. Testing revealed that they had been shot in the chest with a pellet gun. A reward was being offered for information about the shootings, and no suspects were identified.

December 2016/Huntington, New York: Patch.com reported that a cat who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found with chemical burns on her face, neck, and body. She was taken to a veterinary hospital, where she was treated for infected wounds and burns, some of which penetrated to the bone. It wasn’t known how she had gotten injured.

December 2016/Gilroy, California: GilroyDispatch.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been shot with a pellet gun and sustained serious injuries. No additional details were given. Authorities were notified, and no suspects were identified.

December 2016/Keyser, West Virginia: NewsTribune.info reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been shot with an arrow. He was taken to a veterinary clinic, where the arrow was removed and turned over to authorities. It had penetrated his jaw and exited his throat, fracturing his jawbone, and he underwent surgery. No suspects were identified.

December 2016/Jacksonville, Florida: FirstCoastNews.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten had been heard crying in a car while it was being driven. The driver went to a fire station, where workers were able to remove the animal, who was stuck in the vehicle’s undercarriage. They were hoping to find the kitten a home.

December 2016/Manahawkin, New Jersey: TheSandPaper.net reported that two cats who were homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found shot. One was discovered dead at the scene, and the other was taken to a veterinary hospital, where it was determined that the animal had been shot in the side of the head. The surviving cat underwent surgery and was expected to suffer from permanent “neurological deficits.” A reward was being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the shooter, and no suspects were identified.

December 2016/Wasco County, Oregon: TheDallesChronicle.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been killed by two dogs who were also roaming without supervision. A witness thought that the dogs had also chased another roaming cat up a tree. The dogs’ owner was cited for allowing them to create a public nuisance.

December 2016/Holland Township, New Jersey: NJ.com reported that a cat who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been killed by a dog who was also roaming unsupervised. Authorities shot the dog.

December 2016/Estell Manor, New Jersey: ShoreNewsToday.com reported that a homeless cat who was part of a colony had been found injured and displaying neurological symptoms. The animal was taken to a veterinary hospital, where he or she was euthanized and tested positive for rabies.

December 2016/San Diego, California: CBS8.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten had been found badly injured on the side of a road. She was taken to an animal shelter, where a veterinary exam determined that she’d sustained severe abdominal injuries that required extensive surgery. She underwent weeks of treatment and would possibly have a permanent limp as a result of nerve damage. It was believed that she’d been intentionally abused, but there were no witnesses to what caused the injuries.

November 2016/New Orleans, Louisiana: WWLTV.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found lying in the street, bleeding from his nose and body. He was taken to a veterinary hospital, where X-rays revealed that he’d been shot in the legs and head with a pellet gun. A pellet was lodged in his brain, but he was sent home with medication. A few hours later, he couldn’t see or walk and was euthanized at an emergency veterinary hospital. It wasn’t reported whether authorities were notified, and no suspects were identified.

November 2016/Omaha, Nebraska: KETV.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had returned home “meowing in pain” with an arrow through his body. He was taken to a veterinary hospital, where it was determined that the arrow had likely struck at least one vital organ as well as vessels near his heart. He was euthanized because of the extent of the injuries. Authorities were investigating, and no suspects were identified.

November 2016/Leland, North Carolina: WNCN.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten had become stuck in an underground storm-water drainage pipe that was 150 feet long and 18 inches wide. Responding to a call, fire-and-rescue personnel worked for an hour to retrieve the animal, who they said had faced “a fairly certain demise.” The person who had called them took the kitten home.

November 2016/Jackson, Michigan: MLive.com reported that a man claimed that his cat, who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision, had been killed by a dog, who was also roaming without supervision. An argument between the animals’ owners ended after the man shot at the dog’s owner and authorities responded.

 November 2016/Butte County, California: ActionNewsNow.com reported that a man was facing two charges of cruelty to animals for allegedly shooting a cat and dog who had been roaming outdoors without supervision. The dog was repeatedly shot until she died. The cat survived, but two other cats who were roaming without supervision in the area reportedly died after being shot within an hour of each other. The same man was a suspect in those cases, but there wasn’t enough evidence to charge him.

November 2016/Oakland, California: ABC7News.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found hiding under his owner’s house with a hole in his shoulder. He was taken to a veterinary hospital, where it was determined that he’d been shot, likely with a high-powered pellet gun. The projectile went through his shoulder and out his armpit. A veterinarian said the injury was “not unusual” and that the hospital staff “see BBs in cats and dogs all the time on X-rays.” The cat was expected to recover, and the owner planned to file a police report. No suspects were identified.

November 2016/Maitland, Florida: ClickOrlando.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had returned home meowing “in agony” and badly injured. She was taken to a veterinary hospital, where it was determined that she’d been shot. The bullet hit her in the hips and traveled through her kidneys and other organs. She didn’t survive. Authorities were investigating, and no suspects were identified.

November 2016/Lorain, Ohio: Cleveland.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found at his owners’ back door bleeding and unable to move his back legs. He was taken to a veterinary hospital, where it was determined that he’d been shot and that the bullet had severed his spinal cord. He was euthanized because of the extent of his injuries. Authorities were notified, and no suspects were identified.

November 2016/LaBelle, Missouri: KHQA.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been shot with a small-caliber weapon. He was taken to a veterinary hospital, where it was determined that the bullet had shattered his shoulder, and his leg had to be amputated. Authorities were investigating, and no suspects were identified.

November 2016/Greenfield, Massachusetts: WWLP.com reported that a cat who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been hit by a car and sustained a broken leg. Police were called to the scene and took the cat to a veterinary hospital.

November 2016/Sacramento, California: FOX40.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been attacked and killed by a dog, who was also roaming unsupervised. The cat’s owner said that the cat was trying to get inside the house when the dog attacked her. Neighbors said that at least two other cats in the area who were allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had also been found dead. Authorities were investigating.

November 2016/Kalispell, Montana: FlatheadBeacon.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been attacked and killed by a dog who was also roaming unsupervised. The cat’s owner asked authorities to capture the dog.

November 2016/Farmingville, New York: Newsday.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found mutilated and disemboweled in her owner’s backyard. She had been missing for two days before being found dead. Authorities were notified, and no suspects were identified.

November 2016/Fort Bend County, Texas: Click2Houston.com reported that three cats who were allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found dead in a neighborhood. One of the animals appeared to have been beaten to death, and another was found with a leg torn off. Authorities were investigating, and no suspects were identified.

November 2016/Burlington, Vermont: BurlingtonFreePress.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found dead, hanging by his neck from a wire attached to a tree limb at a city park. A later report revealed that a 13-year-old suspect had been arrested.

November 2016/Colorado Springs, Colorado: Gazette.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had returned home making “funny noises.” She was taken to a veterinary hospital, where a pellet was found lodged in her side. It had punctured her trachea, and she underwent surgery. Authorities were investigating, and no suspects were identified.

November 2016/Harrison, New York: Harrison.DailyVoice.com reported that a cat who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found dead on the side of a road, apparently as a result of being hit by a car.

November 2016/Conyers, Georgia: NewtonCitizen.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found dead in a neighbor’s yard, apparently attacked by dogs. Additional cats in the neighborhood had reportedly been found dead or were missing. Authorities were working to capture two dogs who had been seen roaming unsupervised in the area.

November 2016/Washington, D.C.: WashingtonPost.com reported that an apparently homeless cat had been found trapped in a sewer drain. An animal control officer removed a manhole cover and found the cat in several inches of water and garbage trying to keep his or her head above water. The animal was taken to a shelter.

October 2016/Canonsburg, Pennsylvania: Observer-Reporter.com reported that two cats who were allowed to roam outdoors without supervision were missing. A neighborhood man was charged with cruelty to animals after authorities tested food set out on his property and found that it may have been laced with antifreeze. The man had reportedly previously filed a complaint with officials about a neighbor’s cats, whom he said had kept coming onto his property, but local agencies didn’t handle issues related to cats.

October 2016/Wichita Falls, Texas: TexomasHomepage.com reported that a woman had picked up an apparently homeless kitten by a rear leg and then repeatedly slammed the animal’s head onto a concrete driveway. Witnesses told police that the kitten was limping in circles with his or her head on the ground afterward. Police said the kitten had blood coming out of his or her ears when they arrived. The kitten was taken to a veterinary hospital, where an examination revealed that the animal’s eardrums had been ruptured, resulting in permanent hearing loss, and that he or she suffered from internal bleeding and possible nerve damage. The kitten was being treated. Cruelty-to-animals charges were pending against the woman.

October 2016/Hamilton, Ohio: People.com reported that a cat who lived in a colony on a busy road had been found with a broken pelvis, apparently as a result of being shot. He was taken to a veterinary hospital, where X-rays showed that he would need surgery to remove a bullet, bullet fragments, and a staple embedded in his body. It wasn’t reported if authorities had been notified, and no suspects were identified.

October 2016/Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania: TimesLeader.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found after having gone missing for a few days. The cat was taken to a veterinarian’s office, where it was discovered that the animal had been shot with a small-caliber bullet. No additional details were given. Police were notified, and no suspects were identified.

October 2016/Fargo, North Dakota: WRIC.com reported that two homeless kittens had been rescued by a photographer who heard them crying in a burning pile of wood during a controlled burn. One was found inside the pile, and the other escaped but suffered from smoke inhalation. They were taken to an emergency veterinary hospital for treatment.

October 2016/Washington, D.C.: WashingtonPost.com reported that two apparently homeless kittens had been found on the tracks at a Metro station. One had an injured paw. They were taken to animal shelters.

October 2016/Arcadia, California: ABC7.com reported that an apparently homeless cat had been found injured and crying on a woman’s porch. He was taken to a veterinary hospital, where he was treated for what were apparently acid burns to his face. One of his eyes had to be removed, and he required extensive treatment. It wasn’t reported if authorities had been notified, and no suspects were identified.

October 2016/Nassau County, Florida: WHIO.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found dead with an arrow sticking out of him. The cat’s owner said that he was the third cat she’d allowed to roam outdoors without supervision who had been killed in the past three years. Authorities were notified, and no suspects were identified.

October 2016/Fairview Township, Pennsylvania: YorkDispatch.com reported that a man had been arrested for allegedly shooting a neighbor’s cat, whom he perceived as a nuisance, with a high-powered pellet gun. The cat’s owner found her in a closet, crying and bleeding. She wasn’t taken to a veterinary hospital, and she died overnight from her injuries. The man was charged with cruelty to animals and carrying or discharging an air rifle in a public place.

October 2016/New York, New York: NYDailyNews.com reported that an apparently homeless cat had been found “hobbling” along a sidewalk. He was missing his tail, both ears, and part of his rear legs. The wounds were older and had healed. He was taken to an animal shelter. Anyone with information about his injuries was asked to come forward.

October 2016/Houston, Texas: Chron.com reported that authorities were seeking information about recent cat killings, including two kittens who had been found dead and three cats who had been found mutilated. A reward was being offered for information, and no suspects were identified.

October 2016/Kensington, New Hampshire: NH1.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found possibly shot with a pellet gun. No additional details were given. Authorities were notified, and no suspects were identified.

October 2016/Palm Coast, Florida: FlaglerLive.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found bloody and lying motionless in the driveway of her owner’s home. She was taken to a veterinary hospital, where it was determined that she had been shot in the face. The bullet had entered through her face and stopped above her shoulder, breaking her jaw into three pieces and fracturing her shoulder. She had to be euthanized because of the extent of her injuries. The owner said that recently another cat she let outside to roam without supervision had never returned home. Authorities were notified, and no suspects were identified.

October 2016/Easton, Connecticut: EastonCourier.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been attacked and killed by two dogs who were also roaming unsupervised. The cat’s owner was injured during the incident and required medical treatment. Authorities were called.

October 2016/Lancaster, Ohio: LancasterEagleGazette.com reported that a cat who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found injured after being shot by a pellet gun. He or she was taken to an animal shelter. Authorities were called and questioned a suspect.

October 2016/Woodbridge, New Jersey: Patch.com reported that a kitten who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision was being treated at a local animal shelter after being hit by a car. She was going to need surgery to repair a broken joint.

October 2016/Johnson City, New York: WBNG.com reported that a kitten who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found ill and injured outside someone’s home. He was taken to an animal shelter, which transferred him to a veterinary hospital, where he was receiving treatment for serious hole-like wounds in his ears and all four of his legs as well as intestinal parasites, fractures, and fleas. A veterinarian suspected that some of the wounds had been intentionally caused by a human. It wasn’t reported if authorities had been notified, and no suspects were identified.

October 2016/Lincoln, Nebraska: KETV.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had returned home limping and in pain. She was taken to a veterinarian’s office, where X-rays revealed that she’d been shot with a pellet gun, which shattered the bone in her leg. The limb had to be amputated. Authorities were investigating, and no suspects were identified.

October 2016/Steuben County, New York: DemocratAndChronicle.com reported that 19 cats who were allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been seized by authorities from a woman who was feeding them on her property. They suffered from extreme medical conditions, including severe dental disease, eye wounds and ulcers, dehydration, intestinal parasites, anemia, flea infestations, and self-mutilation wounds from scratching. A kitten was found with a large open wound that was infested with maggots. Sixteen of the cats had to be euthanized because of the severity of their conditions. The remaining cats were being treated at an animal shelter. The woman was arrested on multiple counts of cruelty to animals.

October 2016/Franklin, Tennessee: WKRN.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been shot with a high-powered pellet gun, which broke her leg. She was taken to a veterinary hospital for treatment. Authorities were notified, and no suspects were identified.

October 2016/Calera, Alabama: WIAT.com reported that a kitten who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had dragged herself around a mobile home park for several days after someone shot her in the spine. She was finally taken to a veterinarian for treatment but wasn’t expected to regain the ability to walk or control her bowels or bladder. It wasn’t reported if authorities were notified, and no suspects were identified.

October 2016/Clairton, Pennsylvania: ABC13.com reported that a cat who was apparently part of a trap-neuter-release program had been found lying on a woman’s porch with an arrow through her. She was taken to a veterinary hospital for treatment. Authorities were notified, and no suspects were identified.

October 2016/Dover, Pennsylvania: KRON4.com reported that a cat who had escaped from her home returned with severe injuries to her face. She was taken to a veterinary hospital, where it was determined that she’d been shot with a pellet gun. She was being treated. Authorities were notified, and no suspects were identified.

October 2016/Toledo, Ohio: WAGMTV.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten had been trapped in a storm drain along a busy road for at least 24 hours before a passerby heard her cries. Police were called and stopped traffic to allow the person to climb into the drain and retrieve the kitten, who was wet, frightened, and infested with fleas. She was taken to an animal shelter.

October 2016/Jacksonville, Florida: News4JAX.com reported that a kitten who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had sustained two broken legs after falling from the underside of a moving car during a hurricane evacuation. A good Samaritan took him to an animal shelter, where he was receiving veterinary treatment.

October 2016/Lancaster, Ohio: LancasterEagleGazette.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been shot with a pellet gun by a neighbor. A pellet was found embedded in the cat’s skin, and he or she was reportedly injured. Police responded to the scene and advised the neighbor that shooting a pellet gun within city limits was an offense, but no charges were filed.

October 2016/Stafford Township, New Jersey: Patch.com reported that two cats who were homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found on the side of a road, one shot with a .22-caliber bullet and the other severely beaten. Both were taken to a veterinary hospital, where the cat who was shot died upon arrival and the other was admitted in critical condition. The surviving cat sustained substantial head trauma and a head wound, and blood and fluid were filling her lungs. Authorities were investigating, and no suspects were identified.

October 2016/Las Vegas, Nevada: ReviewJournal.com reported that an apparently homeless cat had been found hanged to death. At a news conference about the incident, a detective said, “This is a case where an individual captured the cat and hung it while it was still alive. The cat suffered greatly.” Authorities were investigating, and no suspects were identified.

October 2016/Providence, Rhode Island: GoLocalProv.com reported that a cat who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found so badly injured that he or she had to be euthanized. The animal had apparently been attacked by a raccoon who later tested positive for rabies.

October 2016/Austin, Texas: KAALTV.com reported that a cat who had escaped from his home had been found 30 minutes later dead in the driveway. The cat’s owner told authorities that it looked like the animal had been shot with a pellet gun. Police were investigating, and no suspects were identified.

October 2016/Wichita, Kansas: KSN.com reported that a cat had been attacked on her front porch by three dogs who had escaped from their yard. The cat was chased into the crawl space of the home, where her owner was able to fend off the dogs. The animal sustained bite wounds and scratches to the majority of her body, and her tail may need to be amputated. She was taken to a veterinary hospital for treatment, and the dogs’ owner was issued a citation.

October 2016/New York, New York: NYDailyNews.com reported that subway service in Midtown Manhattan had been stopped for approximately one hour after an apparently homeless kitten was seen on the tracks. Police were called and were able to capture the kitten, who was found hiding under a grate. The animal was taken to a shelter.

September 2016/Pasco, Washington: KEPRTV.com reported that a litter of apparently homeless kittens had been found under the hood of a car. One of them was badly burned, lost an ear, and sustained an injury to his tail, apparently when the engine was started. He was taken to a veterinary hospital for treatment. It wasn’t reported what happened to the other kittens.

September 2016/Austin, Texas: KEYETV.com reported that more than 20 cats who were allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been missing and five more had been found shot over a period of a few months in one neighborhood. One cat was found dead behind a shed after being shot with a pellet gun, and around the same time, another was found with a pellet in the leg. Two other cats were found shot to death in front of an energy plant in the area. Authorities were notified, and no suspects were identified.

September 2016/Jessamine County, Kentucky: WTVQ.com reported that a cat who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found dragging a steel-jaw trap clamped to a foot. Animal control officers took the cat to a veterinarian’s office, where the trap was removed and the cat underwent surgery, including the amputation of three toes. The veterinarian said the trap had probably been clamped on the cat’s foot for 24 to 48 hours. The animal was expected to need “substantial care” to recover. Authorities were investigating, and no suspects were identified.

September 2016/Fayetteville, West Virginia: WTVR.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision was found lying in a neighbor’s bushes with an arrow through his head and back. He was taken to a veterinarian’s office, where the arrow was removed and he was apparently recovering. Employees said the arrow had probably been embedded for at least 24 hours. Arrest warrants had been filed for an unnamed suspect charged with cruelty to animals.

September 2016/Jacksonville, North Carolina: WCTI12.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten who had sustained a broken leg was found trapped in the engine of a car. The vehicle was taken to a dealership, where the kitten was removed. The animal was taken to a veterinarian and being treated.

September 2016/California, Pennsylvania: Observer-Reporter.com reported that an apparently homeless cat had been found with a blunt-tipped arrow through her abdomen. She was taken to a veterinarian, who suspected that the arrow had been shot intentionally at close range. It had perforated the cat’s colon, and she underwent surgery that included removing her large intestine. The veterinarian expressed concerns about her recovery. It wasn’t known how long the arrow had been embedded. Authorities were notified, and no suspects were identified.

September 2016/Jacksonville, Florida: ActionNewsJAX.com reported that three cats who were allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found dead in their owner’s yard. One was found dead each day for three days. Their owner said she believed that they had been killed by a neighbor’s dogs who also roamed unsupervised. Authorities were reportedly investigating.

September 2016/Jacksonville, Florida: ActionNewsJAX.com reported that two cats who were called “everyone’s cats” at an apartment complex had been shot with a pellet gun. One of them was found with an injured eye that was “swelled up and bleeding,” and another had a pellet lodged in her head. They were taken to an animal shelter for treatment. It wasn’t reported if authorities had been notified, and no suspects were identified.

September 2016/Jacksonville, Florida: News4JAX.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten had been found badly injured after a plastic six-pack ring became embedded in the skin of his back and one of his front legs. He had sustained deep wounds and was underweight when he was found. Animal control officers took him to a veterinarian for treatment. The kitten had likely got entangled in the plastic ring when he was smaller, and as he grew, it became embedded into his skin and muscle tissue.

September 2016/Beaverton, Oregon: KGW.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found covered with mud and with an injured leg. He was taken to a veterinary hospital, where it was determined that his leg would have to be amputated because the bone had been shattered by a BB. Authorities were investigating, and no suspects were identified.

September 2016/Johnstown, Ohio: ThisWeekNews.com reported that an apparently homeless cat had been seen with an arrow through his or her body. Police were sent to the location twice to try to secure the cat, but he or she evaded capture by running into the woods. Area residents had also been unable to catch the animal.

September 2016/Lancaster County, South Carolina: WYFF4.com reported that two men had been arrested and charged with ill treatment of animals in connection with shooting a homeless cat with BB guns. The two told police that the cat had become a “nuisance” because it rummaged through garbage at the home they were at. After each of the men shot the cat, another person at the residence reportedly “dispatched the cat by hand.” The animal’s body was then buried on the property but was recovered during the investigation.

September 2016/Phoenix, Arizona: ABC15.com reported that a man had claimed to have trapped around 400 cats on his property over a period of a “few years,” drove them 30 to 40 miles, and then re-abandoned them. He said he did so because his local animal shelter either wouldn’t accept them or said it would only sterilize them and return them to his property. He said the cats would urinate on trees, doorways, and tires on the property and he wanted to make sure they didn’t return. It wasn’t reported if authorities were investigating.

September 2016/Yucaipa, California: NewsMirror.net reported that an apparently homeless cat had been found cut in half and propped up on a resident’s front lawn. A neighbor had reportedly found four cats over the course of a month who had been killed in a similar way, “cut with surgical precision.” Police were investigating, and no suspects had been identified.

September 2016/Lakeside, California: FOX5SanDiego.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had returned home injured and been taken to a veterinary hospital, where it was determined that the cat had been shot twice. The cat was euthanized because of the extent of the injuries. It wasn’t reported if authorities had been notified, and no suspects had been identified.

September 2016/Milwaukie and Oregon City, Oregon: KATU.com reported that “dozens” of cats who were homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found dead or were missing from an apartment complex and two mobile home parks. A cat and kitten were both seen vomiting before they were found by their owner “so sick they could barely move.” They died shortly after they were found. A veterinarian confirmed that another cat had died from ingesting antifreeze, and intentional poisoning was suspected. It wasn’t reported if authorities were investigating.

September 2016/New York, New York: NYPost.com reported that subway service in Upper Manhattan had been stopped for approximately one hour while employees searched for an apparently homeless kitten spotted on or near the tracks. The kitten wasn’t found, and subway service resumed.

September 2016/Franklin Township, Indiana: CBS4Indy.com reported that a cat who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found cut in half at a school bus stop. It was suspected that a human had killed the animal. Authorities were investigating, and no suspects had been identified.

September 2016/Boston, Massachusetts: Patch.com reported that an apparently homeless cat had been found injured and lying motionless next to the street inside Boston’s Callahan Tunnel. A state trooper took the cat to an animal hospital, where he was found to have sustained head trauma, a broken pelvis, and scrapes from being hit by a car. He was receiving treatment.

September 2016/Arlington, Texas: CBSLocal.com reported that a dozen cats who were part of a trap-neuter-release program had been found dead and “many more” were missing. Threats had reportedly been made to harm the cats, and “caretakers” noticed that food they had set out appeared to have been tampered with. Poisoning was suspected, and a police report had been filed. No suspects had been identified.

September 2016/Washington County, Pennsylvania: WPXI.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found lying in a neighbor’s driveway, unable to stand. He was taken to a veterinary hospital, where he had to be euthanized. Preliminary testing suggested that he may have suffered from antifreeze poisoning. It wasn’t reported if authorities had been alerted, and no suspects had been identified.

September 2016/Chesterfield County, Virginia: WRIC.com reported that a cat who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been trapped and shot to death with a pellet gun. An employee of a business where the incident occurred was charged with cruelty to animals.

September 2016/St. Helens, Oregon: TheChiefNews.com reported that two cats who were allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had returned home so badly injured that they had to be euthanized. Postmortem examinations revealed that both cats had sustained “crushing type injuries to the skull.” Authorities were investigating and said that they had received numerous additional reports about roaming cats in the area who had been injured or had died. No suspects had been identified.

September 2016/Portland, Maine: WMUR.com reported that a cat who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found dead and hanging from a stop sign. An investigation determined that the animal had died as a result of being hit by a car.

August 2016/Columbus, Georgia: WTOC.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been attacked and killed by two dogs who were also roaming unsupervised. Authorities were called but weren’t able to capture the dogs.

August 2016/Kuna, Idaho: KIVITV.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been abandoned in a box at a veterinary hospital. The cat had apparently escaped from the box and run off, but an attached note said the animal belonged to the writer’s neighbor. The note asked hospital staff to find a new home for the cat because she was using a children’s sandbox as a litterbox and was at risk of being poisoned. Employees were searching for the cat but didn’t know who owned her.

August 2016/Beverly, Massachusetts: NewburyportNews.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten had been seen crawling into the muffler of a car parked in front of a restaurant. The kitten then managed to become trapped in the car’s engine. The front of the car had to be lifted by a tow truck, and animal control workers who responded to a call for help were able to retrieve the kitten and transport him to a veterinary hospital. He required treatment for heatstroke.

August 2016/Fresno County, California: YourCentralValley.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten had become trapped in a storm drain. A passerby who heard the kitten crying called authorities. Responding firefighters had to remove a manhole cover and use a “pressurized extinguisher” to retrieve the animal, who was taken to a shelter.

August 2016/Columbia Falls, Montana: DailyInterLake.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been shot in the eye with a pellet gun. A neighbor admitted shooting the cat and said he did so because the animal was getting into his trash. The cat was taken to an animal hospital for treatment, and authorities were notified. 

August 2016/Lancaster, Pennsylvania: LancasterEagleGazette.com reported that two cats who were allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been attacked and killed by a dog who escaped confinement. The dog’s owner was cited.

August 2016/Linden, New Jersey: NewJersey.News12.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found dead across the street from his home. His owner told authorities that this is the second cat she allowed to roam outdoors without supervision who had been found dead. She believed that someone in the area had been soaking cat food in antifreeze to kill roaming cats. Authorities were investigating, and no suspects had been identified.

August 2016/Contra Costa County, California: NBCBayArea.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been shot in the face with a pellet gun. She was taken to a veterinary hospital after she was found “dripping blood and barely able to move” outside her home. A pellet was found lodged in her eye, and another was found in her jaw. Her eye had to be removed, and she was being treated. Authorities were investigating, and no suspects had been identified.

August 2016/Warwick, Rhode Island: TurnTo10.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten had become trapped in a storm drain. Fire crews were called and used water to flush the kitten to the top of the drain. The animal was taken to a shelter.

August 2016/Thomaston, Maine: WABI.TV reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been attacked and killed by a dog who had escaped from his or her yard. The dog, who also attacked another dog, was captured by authorities and placed under quarantine.

August 2016/Tampa, Florida: BayNews9.com reported that a kitten who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been trapped in a storm drain for two days. Responding fire-rescue crews used a low-pressure hose to corral the kitten into a net. The animal was then reunited with his or her owner.

August 2016/Grand Rapids, Michigan: 13NewsNow.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten had become trapped in a storm drain. After at least 12 hours, city workers were able to retrieve the kitten, who was emaciated and infested with fleas. He was rushed to an animal shelter for treatment.

August 2016/Big Spring, Texas: BigCountryHomepage.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found stuffed inside a neighbor’s mailbox after being killed and burned. Authorities were investigating, and no suspects had been identified.

August 2016/Contra Costa County, California: KTVU.com reported that two apparently homeless kittens had become trapped in a storm drain. Passersby heard them crying and called authorities. Responding fire-rescue workers used a “snare pole” to retrieve one of the animals and a wet-dry vacuum to suck up the second. They were taken to an animal shelter.

August 2016/Baltimore, Maryland: FOXBaltimore.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten had been found lying “near death” on a woman’s windowsill after someone apparently intentionally burned off her ears and whiskers. Responding city workers found the kitten “seared and in extreme pain” and took her to an animal shelter, where she received veterinary treatment. Veterinarians said the pads of her feet were dark red and her ears had been burned from the tips to the base. They thought the injuries had been caused intentionally. Authorities were investigating, and no suspects had been identified.

August 2016/Broward County, Florida: Firehouse.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten’s paw had become stuck in a steel sewer cover. Fire-rescue workers responded to a call but weren’t able to remove the kitten’s paw, so they took the kitten and cover to a veterinary hospital, where the animal was sedated and rescue saws were used to cut away the sewer cover.

August 2016/Leavenworth, Kansas: KCTV5.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten had been stuck upside down in a 12- to 14-foot-deep corrugated metal drain pipe for at least two days. A plumber responded to a call for help and was able to remove the animal, who was found crying and covered with filth. He took her home.

August 2016/New Port Richey, Florida: FOX13News.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten had been found on the side of a road with a severe eye injury or untreated infection that had caused the eye to protrude. A good Samaritan took her to an animal shelter, where it was determined that she would require antibiotics, pain medication, and surgery to remove the eye.

August 2016/Appomattox, Virginia: WSET.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been shot by a neighbor who said the animal had been getting into his trash. The cat had to be euthanized because of the extent of the injuries. The man was charged with felony cruelty to animals.

August 2016/Baltimore, Maryland: Baltimore.CBSLocal.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten had become stuck inside the engine compartment of a car. Four police officers and an automobile dealership employee had to use a tow truck to lift the car to retrieve the animal. He or she was reportedly adopted.

August 2016/Warrensburg, Missouri: DailyStarJournal.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found ill, frothing at the mouth, and vomiting in the owner’s yard. When the cat was picked up, he or she bit a family member and then died. Rabies tests on the animal were inconclusive because the “brain was in such bad shape.” The person bitten was receiving post-exposure rabies treatments. 

August 2016/Detroit, Michigan: WXYZ.com reported that a cat who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found mauled to death by dogs. Home surveillance video footage captured a man poking the kitten with a stick and encouraging his two dogs to attack the animal. One of the dogs could be seen grabbing the kitten in his or her mouth and running off. A reward was being offered for information leading to an arrest in the case, and no suspects had been identified.

August 2016/Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh.CBSLocal.com reported that a cat who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been beaten and punched to death. The suspect told responding officers that he killed the cat because the animal had come onto his porch and he was afraid of being scratched. He was arrested on multiple counts of cruelty to animals.       

August 2016/Miami, Florida: MiamiHerald.com reported that the cries of an apparently homeless kitten had been heard coming from behind the grill of an unmarked police car, where she had become trapped. It took city workers about an hour to free the kitten, who was taken to an animal shelter. A shelter spokesperson said that incidents like this one are “very common.”

August 2016/Orlando, Florida: People.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten had been found sitting under a tree crying and suffering from a fractured pelvis and a dislocated hip. She was taken to an animal shelter for treatment. The cause of her injuries wasn’t known.

August 2016/Gaylord, Michigan: UpNorthLive.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found missing one of his eyes and with his face covered with blood. He was taken to a veterinarian’s office and underwent surgery. It was determined that he’d been shot in the face. A bullet apparently entered his head through the bridge of his nose and exited his eye socket, leaving metal fragments in his skull. Authorities were investigating, and no suspects had been identified. 

July 2016/Rohnert Park, California: PressDemocrat.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had returned home with a hole in his leg and a lump in his chest. He was taken to a veterinarian’s office, where a hunting arrow was removed and he received treatment, including the placement of a drainage tube in his chest. Authorities were investigating, and no suspects had been identified. 

July 2016/Marquette, Wisconsin: ABC10Up.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found blind and badly injured after apparently sustaining a blow to the head, which caused hemorrhaging. He was taken to a veterinary hospital, where it was determined that he’d permanently lost his sight. The cause of his injuries wasn’t known, but authorities were notified. 

July 2016/Honolulu, Hawaii: KHON2.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found shot to death with an arrow. Authorities were investigating, and no suspects had been identified.

July 2016/York, South Carolina: HeraldOnline.com reported that a kitten who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been shot multiple times with a BB gun. The kitten’s owner called police after seeing a boy call the kitten to him and then shoot the animal. The kitten was taken to a veterinary hospital, where multiple BBs were removed. One eye had been damaged and may need to be removed, and a BB was also found in a lung. According to a later report, a 16-year-old boy was arrested in connection with the case and charged with ill treatment of animals.

July 2016/Stanton, Nebraska: NorfolkDailyNews.com reported that a man had been found not guilty on charges of aiding and abetting the cruel mistreatment of an animal and contributing to the delinquency of a child for his alleged role in the torture of an apparently homeless cat. After the cat was captured in a box trap set on the defendant’s property, four juveniles reportedly killed the animal with a hunting arrow after repeatedly shooting him or her with homemade darts. The incident was videotaped, and the juveniles were convicted and sentenced to probation and community service. 

July 2016/Bridgewater, Massachusetts: EnterpriseNews.com reported that a wildlife camera set in a wooded area captured the image of a cat who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision and who appeared to have been shot in the face with some type of arrow. The local animal control officer asked for the community’s help in finding the injured animal, but he or she had not been seen again.   

July 2016/Tittabawassee Township, Michigan: MLive.com reported that a homeless cat a resident had been feeding was shot in the face. The resident told responding officers that her neighbors are bothered by the cats she feeds on her property and that one had threatened several times to shoot or destroy them. She asked officers to shoot the cat, but they refused and ordered her to take him to a veterinarian’s office, where it was determined that he had been shot with an unknown weapon. He was receiving treatment, but a later report revealed that he had died there. Police were investigating, and no suspects had been identified.

July 2016/Waukesha, Wisconsin: WISN.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten had been found on the side of a busy road with scorched whiskers and severe burns to his abdomen and feet. He was taken to an animal shelter for treatment, where it was expected that he would need several months to recover. 

July 2016/Spokane, Washington: MyFOXSpokane.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been shot in the abdomen and leg with a BB gun. The embedded BBs caused an infection and muscle damage, resulting in her death. It wasn’t reported if authorities had been notified, and no suspects had been identified.

July 2016/McKinleyville, California: KRCRTV.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found by his owner with an arrow through his stomach. He was taken to a veterinary hospital for treatment. An official with the hospital said that he was the second cat to be admitted recently after being shot with an arrow. It wasn’t reported if authorities had been notified, and no suspects had been identified.

July 2016/Livermore, California: Patch.com reported that a cat who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found badly injured after being shot with an arrow. A microchip in the animal was traced to a self-professed animal “rescue” group. The cat was taken to a veterinary hospital for treatment and was recovering. In June, another cat in the city had been found after being shot three times with a pellet gun. That cat underwent surgery and was also recovering. Authorities were investigating, and no suspects had been identified.

July 2016/Las Vegas, Nevada: ReviewJournal.com reported that a cat who had evidently been re-abandoned on the street as part of a so-called “trap-neuter-release” program was rescued by a county fire captain during a flash flood. The cat was taken to a veterinary clinic, where he was described as “drenched, cold and in shock.” According to the news outlet, “His paws were bloody and missing claws from his panicked fight to escape the flash flood.” A veterinarian who treated him said that he was so hypothermic that his temperature didn’t register on a thermometer. She said that if he wasn’t adopted, he would likely be put back on the streets.

July 2016/Fayetteville, North Carolina: FayObserver.com reported that a kitten who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found with a broken leg that had also been bitten. The kitten was taken to a veterinary hospital for treatment, where he or she started to exhibit neurological symptoms. The animal was euthanized, and test results were positive for the rabies virus. Eight people who were bitten or scratched by the kitten, including veterinary hospital staff and the kitten’s owner, were receiving post-exposure rabies treatments.

July 2016/Plainfield, Connecticut: TheDay.com reported that an apparently homeless cat had been found badly injured. After the cat bit a resident, he or she was captured and euthanized. Testing revealed that the animal was positive for the rabies virus. The resident was receiving post-exposure rabies treatment.  

July 2016/Park City, Utah: KPCW.org reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had died after being hit by a car.

July 2016/Kettering, Ohio: WHIO.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found bleeding from both sides of his abdomen by his owner. He had to be euthanized because of the extent of his injuries. A reward was being offered for information about the incident, and no suspects had been identified.

July 2016/Elmwood Park, New Jersey: NewJersey.News12.com reported that a cat who escaped from her home had been found in pain by her owner four days later. She was taken to a veterinary hospital, where an X-ray revealed that she’d been shot with a pellet or .22-caliber gun, shattering the femur in a rear leg, which had to be amputated. Authorities were investigating, and no suspects had been identified.

July 2016/Spokane, Washington: KHQ.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found under a neighbor’s porch with an arrow through her body. She was taken to a veterinarian’s office, where the arrow was removed and she was recovering. It wasn’t reported if authorities were notified, and no suspects had been identified.

June 2016/Wichita Falls, Texas: TexomasHomepage.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been attacked and killed by two dogs who were also roaming without supervision. The cat’s owner saw one end of the cat in each dog’s mouth, and the dogs were tugging on the animal. Authorities were called and impounded the dogs the next day.

June 2016/Baton Rouge, Louisiana: WBRZ.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found dead in a neighbor’s yard, apparently attacked by another animal. Another cat in the area who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision was found on his porch with a puncture wound to his rib cage. He was taken to a veterinarian for treatment and was recovering. About a dozen other cats in the area who were allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had sustained similar injuries over the previous several months. Authorities were notified.

June 2016/Wilson County, North Carolina: WilsonTimes.com reported that in less than a week, between eight and 12 cats who were allowed to roam outdoors without supervision in one neighborhood had been attacked and killed by two dogs who were also roaming outdoors without supervision. An investigation led authorities to the dogs’ owner, and a citation was issued.

June 2016/Bismarck, North Dakota: KFYRTV.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had returned home limping. He was taken to a veterinary hospital, where it was determined that he’d been shot with a pellet gun. The pellet had passed close to his heart, and he was receiving treatment. It wasn’t reported if authorities were notified, and no suspects had been identified.

June 2016/Aurora, Colorado: TheDenverChannel.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found hanged in his owner’s yard. He was found with a cord wrapped around his neck and had apparently been hanged from a fence. It wasn’t reported if authorities were notified, and no suspects had been identified.

June 2016/Colorado Springs, Colorado: Gazette.com reported that the leg of a cat who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had become caught between the slats of a fence. Authorities were called and released the animal, who was described as “scared and in a lot of pain.” She was taken to an animal shelter, where a veterinarian amputated a mangled toe and sutured the skin on a back leg, which was ripped so badly that the bone was exposed. She was expected to recover.

June 2016/Fargo, North Dakota: ValleyNewsLive.com reported that a local animal shelter had been receiving more injured cats than normal, including a cat who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision and sustained a broken leg after being hit by a car. Another cat who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision was also hit by a car, which injured both of her back legs, one so severely that it had to be amputated. Residents were advised to keep cats indoors unless humanely contained, leashed, or closely supervised.

June 2016/Kalispell, Montana: DailyInterLake.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found dead on a porch. Poisoning was suspected. Authorities were notified, and no suspects had been identified.

June 2016/Zebulon, North Carolina: WNCN.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten had been found behind a shopping center with several deep cuts on the stomach and side, a broken pelvis, a fractured leg, and another leg broken in at least two places. The kitten was taken to an animal hospital, where he or she was euthanized because of the extent of the injuries. Authorities were investigating, and no suspects had been identified.

June 2016/Bristol, Connecticut: FOX10TV.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had returned home limping. Unable to afford a veterinary visit, his owner turned him over to an animal shelter, which took him to a veterinary hospital. X-rays revealed that he had been shot in his shoulder, shattering the bone. He underwent surgery and was recovering. Authorities were investigating, and no suspects had been identified.

June 2016/Muskogee County, Oklahoma: NewsOn6.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had died after contracting the tick-borne illness bobcat fever. The cat’s owner said, “If you look around now you won’t find one cat. They’re all dead. This thing has wiped them all out.” A local veterinarian said that bobcat fever is a “very rapidly fatal disease” and that infected cats become weak and dehydrated and may show signs of jaundice.

June 2016/Redding, California: Redding.com reported that a cat who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been hit and killed by a car. Two people in another car pulled over to try to reach the animal and were hit by a third car, sustaining major injuries. They were taken by ambulance to a hospital and were expected to survive.

June 2016/Delanco Township, New Jersey: NJ.com reported that a cat who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found by police officers with an arrow through the body. Officers removed part of the arrow and took the cat to a veterinary hospital, where he or she was being treated. Information was being sought, and no suspects had been identified.

June 2016/Jefferson Township, Pennsylvania: ReadingEagle.com reported that a homeless cat had been found lying still by a pond after five days of wandering around a neighborhood with a plastic jar stuck on her head. She was taken to a veterinarian’s office, where the jar was removed and she was treated for dehydration, internal parasites, ear mites, and a wound on her neck. It was hoped that someone would adopt her.

June 2016/Warren, Ohio: WFMJ.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found injured lying under a trampoline. The cat was taken to a veterinarian’s office, where it was determined that the animal had been shot in the chest and would require the amputation of a leg. Authorities were notified, and no suspects had been identified.

June 2016/Shawnee, Oklahoma: News9.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found with an arrow through her body. She was taken to a veterinarian, who determined that she was paralyzed “from the shoulder down,” and she was mercifully euthanized. Authorities were notified, and no suspects had been identified.

June 2016/Janesville, Wisconsin: GazetteXtra.com reported that a cat who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been knocked out of a tree by a man who threw sticks at the animal. A dog then attacked and killed the cat. The man was accused of setting the dog on the cat and was charged with instigating fights between animals.

June 2016/Tampa, Florida: TampaBay.com reported that in a period of 15 days, at least five cats had been found dead on a busy bridge after being hit by cars.

June 2016/Mechanicsville, Virginia: WRIC.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten had been trapped in a storm drain for three days before authorities were called and were able to retrieve the animal, who was taken to a shelter.

June 2016/Luling, Louisiana: NOLA.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been shot in the chest with an arrow. The cat was taken to a veterinary hospital, where the arrow was removed and he or she was being treated. A neighbor was arrested and charged with cruelty to animals. He said that he had shot the cat because the animal was on his property.

June 2016/Bryan County, Georgia: SavannahNow.com reported that a cat who was considered a “mascot” of Fort McAllister State Park and was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found shot to death near the park office and museum. A fawn was also killed in the playground area. A reward was being offered for information about the killings, and no suspects had been identified.

May 2016/Norfolk, Virginia: WTKR.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been attacked and killed by a neighbor’s dog. The dog reportedly jumped onto the top of a car to reach the cat. The dog was surrendered to an animal shelter.

May 2016/Youngstown, Ohio: WFMJ.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten had been found with injured or infected eyes that were infested with maggots. Neighbors said that they had seen a man hitting the kitten with a stick. Authorities were called, and the kitten was taken to a veterinarian’s office, where euthanasia was provided because of the severity of the animal’s condition

May 2016/Dunbar Township, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh.CBSLocal.com reported that a homeless cat had been shot with a “mini-arrow.” It was not reported if the cat survived. Police were investigating, and no suspects had been identified.

May 2016/Warren, Massachusetts: MassLive.com reported that authorities suspected a minor in the theft of a cat who had been allowed to roam outdoors without supervision. The child was suspected of confining and beating the cat for four days before releasing the animal, who crawled back to his or her home and later died. The suspect had been overheard bragging about the incident at an area park. Two similar cases had been reported in the area, and authorities were investigating.

May 2016/Bowling Green, Kentucky: BGDailyNews.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had returned home with two injuries to a front leg. The cat was taken to a veterinarian’s office, where two BBs were removed. The cat’s owner said that two other cats had also been shot. One “had a hole in a back leg from a pellet going through it,” and the other was shot in the stomach and “bled out.” Authorities were notified, and no suspects had been identified.

May 2016/Jonesboro, Arkansas: KSLA.com reported that a cat who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been killed by two dogs who had also been roaming outside without supervision. The dogs’ owner was cited for harboring dangerous dogs and allowing dogs to run at large.

May 2016/San Antonio, Texas: News4SanAntonio.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been attacked and killed by a dog, who had also been roaming outside without supervision. The cat’s owners were told by authorities to submit an affidavit in order to prompt an investigation.

May 2016/Bluffton, South Carolina: IslandPacket.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been shot in the side. Authorities responded and took a report, which said that the owner had “not taken the cat to the vet … but might do so in the future to possibly have the bullet removed.” No suspects had been identified.

May 2016/Lima, Ohio: LimaOhio.com reported that a cat who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been seen with an arrow through his body. A humane officer was unable to capture him until after local children had apparently “gotten a hold of him and yanked the arrow out of his body.” By that time, maggots had infested the wound and the tissue at the site had become necrotic. He was taken to a veterinary hospital, where he died. A reward was being offered for information about the shooting, and no suspects had been identified.

May 2016/New York City, New York: NYTimes.com reported that eight homeless cats who had been fed by area residents had either died or “disappeared” within two weeks. One of the animals was found “barely breathing,” and another was taken to a veterinary hospital when he was found with a distended stomach. Two cats found “festering in a parking lot” died without care. Poisoning was suspected but not confirmed. No suspects had been identified, and authorities concluded their investigation. Cats were reportedly routinely abandoned in the area, including one who had been taken out of a backpack and others who had been thrown from cars.

May 2016/Golden, Colorado: KDVR.com reported that four apparently homeless kittens had been found injured under a porch. They appeared to have been attacked by a dog. Only two survived, and they were taken to an animal shelter for veterinary treatment. One underwent emergency surgery to amputate one of his legs.

May 2016/Surprise, Arizona: Fox10Phoenix.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been shot twice, once with a BB and once with a .22-caliber bullet. He was taken to a veterinarian’s office, where surgery to amputate one of his legs was planned. It wasn’t reported if police were alerted, and no suspects had been identified.

May 2016/Jefferson County, Alabama: AL.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten had been found suffering from burns inside the engine of a car that had traveled from Atlanta, Georgia, to Birmingham, Alabama, before one of the vehicle’s tires went flat. A sheriff’s deputy who stopped to help change the tire found the kitten inside the engine and said that the heat in the engine had “melted her little paws.” The kitten reportedly started “screaming” when the hood was opened so that she could be rescued. She was taken to an animal shelter.

May 2016/Pataskala, Ohio: NewarkAdvocate.com reported that two cats who were allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been shot in two separate incidents. One of the cats was taken to a veterinary hospital after his owner found him paralyzed. Testing revealed that a bullet had fractured his spine and lodged there. He had to be euthanized. A second injured cat was taken to a veterinarian, who confirmed that the animal had been shot with a pellet or .22-caliber bullet. The animal was treated and survived. Police were investigating, and no suspects had been identified.

May 2016/Jaffrey, New Hampshire: LedgerTranscript.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found by his owners “dragging his hindquarters through the woods.” He was taken to a veterinarian’s office, where it was determined that he’d been shot with a BB gun, paralyzing him, injuring his kidneys, and resulting in damage that caused urine to leak into his abdomen. He was mercifully euthanized. Police were investigating, and no suspects had been identified.

May 2016/Sunset, Utah: Standard.net reported that an apparently homeless cat had been shot through the neck with an arrow. Animal control workers were unable to capture the animal immediately for treatment because the arrow prevented the cat from entering a box trap. After more than two weeks, the arrow was wrenched free when the cat ran under a shed. The animal was captured in a trap and taken to a veterinarian for treatment. A reward was being offered for information leading to an arrest and a conviction in the case, and no suspects had been identified.

May 2016/Pensacola, Florida: WEARTV.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had returned home with an arrow through his head. He was taken to a veterinary hospital, where the arrow was removed and he was recovering. His owner planned to file a police report, and no suspects had been identified.

May 2016/Tiftonia, Tennessee: NewsChannel9.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten had become stuck in the engine of a car. Her cries were heard after the car had traveled to Tennessee from Alabama. After unsuccessful attempts to reach her by taking the car apart “piece by piece,” firefighters were called and were able to retrieve her. She was taken to an animal shelter.

May 2016/Elyria, Ohio: Chronicle.NorthcoastNow.com reported that as many as three cats in one neighborhood had been shot with BBs. Two injured cats who were allowed to roam outdoors without supervision were found and taken to veterinarians. One had a hole in his chest, and the other was “in really bad shape” and needed a blood transfusion. A homeless cat who had been fed regularly also appeared to have “a small hole in his side,” but no one had been able to get close enough to examine him. One of the cats’ owners planned to file a police report, and no suspects had been identified.

May 2016/Caseyville, Illinois: FOX2Now.com reported that two cats who were homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found impaled by similar-looking arrows. One had been shot through the midsection and was taken to a veterinary hospital for surgery. The other had been shot in the leg and was taken to a veterinarian, who said the arrow shattered the bone in his leg, which may need to be amputated. He also received treatment for an unspecified infection. Authorities were investigating and had identified a person of interest.

May 2016/Beaufort County, South Carolina: IslandPacket.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten had become trapped inside the base of a utility pole, which was 4 feet deep. Someone heard the kitten crying and called authorities. Workers from animal control and the fire department flooded the pole’s base with water to “float” the kitten to the top, where he was contained. He was then taken to a veterinarian.

May 2016/North Platte, Nebraska: NPTelegraph.com reported that a homeless cat who was regularly fed by workers at an area business had been found with a steel-jaw trap embedded in her foot. She was taken to a veterinarian for treatment. Her foot was swollen, and she reportedly “might lose part” of it. Authorities were notified, and no suspects had been identified.

May 2016/Coeur d’Alene, Idaho: KREM.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found by his owners hiding near a house with a blow dart stuck in his skull. He was taken to a veterinary hospital for treatment and was recovering. Authorities were notified, and no suspects had been identified.

May 2016/Kanawha County, West Virginia: WSAZ.com reported that a cat who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found injured under someone’s deck. He was taken to a veterinary hospital, where he was found to have been shot 20 times, sustaining two broken legs. He underwent surgery. A reward was being offered for information leading to an arrest and a conviction in the case, and no suspects had been identified.

May 2016/Los Angeles, California: InsideEdition.com reported that a homeless cat had been found with wounds from two BBs and her head stuck in a wrought iron fence. Authorities and a veterinarian were called and were able to extract the cat from the fence. She was taken to an animal shelter and treated for her injuries. It wasn’t reported whether an investigation into the shooting was undertaken.

May 2016/Seattle, Washington: KIRO7.com reported that two homeless kittens had been found badly burned in a fire at a notorious homeless camp. A good Samaritan found the animals, who had sustained burns to their skin, noses, and ears and had corneal ulcers. They were taken to a veterinarian for treatment.

May 2016/Somerset Township, Pennsylvania: Observer-Reporter.com reported that several cats in the area who were homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found shot or beaten. A resident said that he had “found several dead kittens and cats” over a period of a year and a half, and a reward was being offered for information leading to an arrest. One cat had been found beaten so badly that her eye was hanging out. She received veterinary treatment and survived. Another had been shot with a .22-caliber rifle and had to have one of her legs amputated. A local humane officer said that he receives approximately 25 reports of animal abuse each week, so the cases weren’t considered “unusual or shocking.” No suspects had been identified.

May 2016/Menomonie, Wisconsin: WQOW.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had returned home with a broadhead arrow through his body. He was taken to a veterinary hospital for treatment and was recovering. Police were notified, and no suspects had been identified.

May 2016/Las Vegas, Nevada: News3LV.com reported that a cat who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been attacked and killed by two dogs who had also been roaming outside without supervision. One of the dogs was shot and killed by an area resident, and the other was contained. Authorities were investigating.

May 2016/Collinsville, Illinois: STLToday.com reported that a cat who was described as an “outside cat” belonging to a farmer had been found with an arrow through his body, in shock, and having trouble breathing. The owner called animal control, and the cat was taken to a veterinarian’s office, where he was stabilized and underwent surgery to remove the arrow. He was recovering and was expected to be put up for adoption. Authorities were investigating, and no suspects had been identified.

May 2016/Louisa, Kentucky: WSAZ.com reported that seven so-called “community cats” had been found dead from poisoning and six others were “missing.” Tests on one of the cats’ bodies confirmed that he or she had died from ingesting poison. Police were investigating, and no suspects had been identified.

May 2016/Abilene, Texas: KTXS.com reported that a kitten who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been claimed by her owners after they saw a news story about someone abusing the animal. The kitten and two others had reportedly been abused by a teenager at an apartment complex. The other two kittens had been found with concussions and were malnourished and bruised. An earlier report included an interview with a witness who had seen a child beating and throwing the two kittens to the ground repeatedly. Area residents also reported that a boy at the same apartment complex had been drowning kittens who were homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision and beating them with sticks. BigCountryHomepage.com reported that another cat had been rescued by a resident at the same complex after she witnessed children beating her with sticks and trying to drown her in a puddle. She was taken to an animal shelter, where she was treated for injuries and expected to recover. Police were notified, but it wasn’t clear if an investigation had been undertaken.

May 2016/Grants Pass, Oregon: KTVL.com reported that a cat who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been taken to an animal shelter after being found with extensive bite wounds, evidently inflicted by a larger animal. A shelter representative described the cat’s injuries, saying, “[I]magine something ten times our size, biting down to the bone and crushing and breaking a bone, and leaving open, gaping wounds.” The cat was receiving medical treatment.

May 2016/Fort Lauderdale, Florida: Local10.com reported that firefighters had been called to two separate incidents in which apparently homeless kittens had become trapped inside vehicle engine compartments. The kittens were successfully removed and placed in foster homes.

April 2016/Centralia, Washington: Chronline.com reported that a homeless “neighborhood cat” had been tortured and killed. Eyewitnesses told police that a minor “squeezed” the cat, threw or dropped him or her from a second-story balcony at least twice, and dropped a stone on or threw it at the animal’s head. The cat may have then been stabbed to death by another area resident. An investigation failed to gather enough evidence for authorities to prosecute anyone

April 2016/Lower Saucon Township, Pennsylvania: LehighValleyLive.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had returned home with an injury to the mouth. The cat’s owner suspected that the animal had been shot and took him or her to a veterinarian for treatment. Authorities were investigating, and no suspects had been identified.

April 2016/Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania: TheCourierExpress.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been shot with a BB gun. He was taken to a veterinarian’s office, where he had to be euthanized because of the extent of his injuries. A neighbor told responding police officers that he had shot the cat because he had been “having issues with stray cats urinating and defecating on his porch.” He pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and was fined.

April 2016/Shamokin, Pennsylvania: DailyItem.com reported that a cat who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been killed by two dogs who had been let off their leashes by the two men walking them. The attack was captured by a video surveillance camera. Police were investigating, and one of the men had been identified. Charges were pending against him.

April 2016/Clarkston, Washington: KLEWTV.com reported that at least five cats who were allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been shot in an area neighborhood. It was not reported if they survived. One resident had reportedly seen “a person with a BB gun” in the area. No additional details were given. Authorities were hoping someone with information would come forward, but no suspects had been identified.

April 2016/Abilene, Texas: MyFOXZone.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been shot with an air gun. The animal was taken to a veterinarian’s office, where a BB was removed. Police said that a neighbor had shot the cat, but no additional details were given.

April 2016/Deer Park, Washington: KHQ.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten had been found badly burned. She was taken to a veterinarian, who said that it appeared that “someone tied a burning object to [her] tail.” She was being treated. Authorities were investigating, and no suspects had been identified.

April 2016/Conyers, Georgia: RockdaleCitizen.com reported that at least 10 cats who were allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found dead in one week, apparently after being attacked by a pack of roaming dogs. Authorities were attempting to find and capture the dogs, and residents were being urged to take their animals indoors.

April 2016/Wonder Lake, Illinois: NWHerald.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been shot with a BB gun. His owner went looking for him after a neighbor said that he had shot the animal. The cat was found injured under an abandoned cabin and was taken to a veterinary hospital. He underwent surgery to remove a BB lodged in his body and repair damaged organs. The neighbor was charged with cruelty to animals.

April 2016/Austin, Texas: KEYETV.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been killed by a dog who had also been roaming outside without supervision. Neighbors said that six cats and a chicken were killed by the dog, who had escaped from his owner’s yard. Authorities were notified.

April 2016/Phoenix, Arizona: KTAR.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten had become trapped in a sewer drain under a city street. Workers spent three days retrieving the kitten, who was taken to an animal shelter.

April 2016/Nassau County, New York: Newsday.com reported that a cat who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found injured from a gunshot. He was taken to a veterinary hospital and underwent surgery on both front legs. A reward was being offered for information about the shooting, and no suspects had been identified.

April 2016/Newark, Ohio: MyFOX28Columbus.com reported that a homeless cat who was being fed by a woman had been shot with an arrow. The woman saw the cat running around outside her house with an arrow protruding from the back legs. The cat ran off and had not been seen since. A dog who had been left unattended in a yard was also shot and was receiving veterinary treatment. Police were investigating, and no suspects had been identified.

April 2016/New Britain, Connecticut: FOX61.com reported that a homeless cat who was known to area residents had been found dead in the middle of a road after apparently being doused with gasoline and “burned almost head to tail.” A reward was being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible, and no suspects had been identified.

April 2016/Ogden, Utah: KSL.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found in his owner’s garage bleeding from his mouth. He was taken to a veterinary hospital, where X-rays revealed embedded fragments of a bullet left from an apparent gunshot to his jaw and cheek. The fragments were surgically removed, and a plate was implanted to connect the damaged portion of his jaw. A reward was being offered for information leading to the conviction of the shooter, and no suspects had been identified.

April 2016/Henderson, Kentucky: 44News.WEVV.com reported that an apparently homeless cat had been found dead after being shot with an arrow. Authorities were asking anyone with information to come forward, and no suspects had been identified.

April 2016/Bend, Oregon: KTVZ.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision was found dead and hanged on her owner’s fence. It was believed that she had been beaten to death. A neighbor was arrested and charged with cruelty to animals after telling police that he had killed the cat because she was scratching trees in his yard.

April 2016/Poquoson, Virginia: DailyPress.com reported that two days after a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had failed to return home, his owner went looking for him. The cat was found badly injured at the edge of his owner’s yard. He was taken to a veterinarian, who determined that he had injuries to his abdomen and that his tail had been dislocated from his spine. The injuries were consistent with blunt force trauma, possibly caused by “somebody holding him by the tail and kicking him like a football.” The damage was so severe that euthanasia was being considered. A reward was being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible, and no suspects had been identified.

April 2016/Cocoa, Florida: ClickOrlando.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten had been heard crying in a sewer drain. The fire department was called by someone who heard the animal’s cries, and workers were able to retrieve the kitten. No additional details were given.

April 2016/Miami-Dade County, Florida: Local10.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten had become trapped in a storm drain. Firefighters flushed the kitten out of the drain and transported the animal to a shelter.

March 2016/Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: NBCPhiladelphia.com reported that a homeless cat had been found shot to death. A woman said that the cat was the 16^th in a colony of cats that she had been feeding to die under “suspicious circumstances” during the past several months. A reward was being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible, and no suspects had been identified.

March 2016/Carson City, Nevada: RGJ.com reported that an apparently homeless cat had been found badly injured on the side of the road and taken to an animal shelter. Veterinarians determined that the animal had sustained a broken jaw, bruising and scrapes on his body, and two badly broken front legs. He was scheduled to undergo numerous surgeries.

March 2016/Accomack County, Virginia: DelmarvaNow.com reported that a man had been found guilty and fined for allowing his dogs to roam at large, after two of his dogs killed a neighbor’s cat, who was also roaming outdoors. The cat’s owner said that she witnessed the animal being “pulled apart” by the dogs.

March 2016/Clermont, Florida: ClickOrlando.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten had crawled into a spare tire under a fire truck in Orlando and been discovered by firefighters after the truck traveled approximately 25 miles. After working for about 30 minutes, firefighters were able to retrieve her. She was placed in a foster home.

March 2016/Berkeley, California: NBCBayArea.com reported that a feral cat and three raccoons had been found after apparently being shot with a pellet-type gun. Two of the animals were injured but still alive when found. One died shortly after being taken to a veterinary hospital, and the other was mercifully euthanized. Police were investigating, and no suspects had been identified. 

March 2016/Springville, Utah: DeseretNews.com reported that an apparently homeless cat had been shot in the head with a 4-inch-long blow dart. A good Samaritan took the cat to an animal shelter, which transferred her to a veterinary hospital, where it was determined that the dart had traveled through her brain, causing brain damage and injuring one of her eyes. The metal tip of another dart was found in one of her front legs. She was being treated, but the damage that she sustained was likely permanent and would possibly require the removal of her eye. No suspects had been identified.

March 2016/Gloversville, New York: News10.com reported that a kitten who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been shot in the eye with a BB gun. A suspect was identified and arrested on charges of aggravated cruelty to animals, among other charges. The kitten was taken to a veterinary hospital for treatment.

March 2016/Columbus, Ohio: Ledger-Inquirer.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found injured. He was taken to a veterinary office, where it was determined that he had been shot with a pellet gun and three pellets were found lodged in his body. The prognosis was unclear. Authorities were notified, and no suspects had been identified.

March 2016/Great Falls, Virginia: Patch.com reported that a cat who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been shot with a pellet gun. The animal was taken to a veterinarian and treated, but the prognosis was unclear. Authorities were investigating, and no suspects had been identified.

March 2016/Dayton, Ohio: MyDaytonDailyNews.com reported that an apparently homeless cat had been attacked and killed by a dog who was roaming outdoors without supervision. Police officers witnessed the attack, and the dog’s owner was arrested on a charge of failing to control his dog.

March 2016/Springfield, Missouri: News-Leader.com reported that police were investigating after five cats who were allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found dead over a period of a couple of weeks in one neighborhood. One of the cats was found in a park with a broken neck, one was found dead and bloodied in a birdbath, and one was killed and found stuffed into a hole in a shed. No suspects had been identified.

March 2016/Youngstown, Ohio: Vindy.com reported that a cat who was homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found with two of her legs crushed in a steel-jaw trap. The cat and trap were taken to a veterinary hospital, where it was determined that both legs had been broken, one so badly that the bone was exposed. She was euthanized because of the extent of her injuries. The trap had been set illegally, and authorities were notified.

March 2016/Auburn, Illinois: FOX2Now.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found with an arrow sticking out of his neck. He was taken to a veterinary hospital, where the arrow was removed and he was recovering. Police were investigating, and no suspects had been identified.

March 2016/Springfield, Oregon: RegisterGuard.com reported that a woman who allowed her cat to roam outdoors without supervision had seen a neighbor carry the cat by the scruff of her neck to his truck and drive away. He returned without the animal and told the owner that he was “tired of” the cat and that she had killed chickens on his property. The man told responding police officers that he had shot the cat and would not reveal her whereabouts. He faced aggravated cruelty-to-animals and other charges. The cat’s body had not been found.

March 2016/Miami, Florida: WSVN.com reported that at least five homeless cats being fed in a neighborhood had been found decapitated. A note reading, “No feed cats here. Kill all cats,” was found near food dumped out for the animals. Authorities planned to investigate, and no suspects had been identified.

March 2016/Naples, Florida: WINKNews.com reported that an apparently homeless cat had been shot multiple times with a pellet gun. The cat was taken to a veterinary hospital, where she was found to have fragments of pellets embedded in her body and damage that resulted in her having little control over her bowels. She was being treated. Anyone with information was asked to call authorities, and no suspects had been identified.

March 2016/San Antonio, Texas: KENS5.com reported that at least one cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been killed during an attack by two dogs who had escaped a yard. A dog was also killed and another sustained injuries in attacks by the same roaming dogs. Authorities reportedly said that nothing could be done about the aggressive dogs unless a person was attacked or they were found roaming off their property by city workers.

March 2016/Dorchester, Massachusetts: WHDH.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten had been found with her paws frozen to a metal fence. A good Samaritan was able to free her using warm water. She was taken to an animal shelter for treatment.

March 2016/Jackson County, Georgia: JacksonHeraldToday.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had returned home with an arrow protruding from the back. The cat was taken to a veterinary office, where the arrow was removed and the animal was recovering. Authorities were notified, and no suspects had been identified.

March 2016/Wichita, Kansas: WFLA.com reported that a kitten who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found dragging her back legs and unable to walk. She was taken to a veterinary office, where a bullet was found embedded in her spine and it was determined that another bullet had evidently grazed one of her legs. Surgery was planned. Authorities were notified, and no suspects had been identified.

March 2016/Cathedral City, California: DesertSun.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found caught in a steel-jaw trap. He was taken to a veterinary office, where the trap, “which weighed several pounds,” was removed and he was treated for tissue damage. Authorities were alerted, and it had not been determined who had set the illegal trap.

February 2016/Geneva, Illinois: Patch.com reported that a cat who had been allowed to roam outdoors without supervision died from his or her injuries after being attacked by dogs who had also been roaming without supervision. Responding police officers located the owner and took the cat to a veterinary hospital, where the animal died. They were unable to locate the dogs’ owner.

January 2016/Doylestown, Pennsylvania: Patch.com reported that an apparently homeless cat had been shot repeatedly with a nail gun. He was found badly injured and hiding on someone’s porch with framing nails in the top of his head, over an eye, in one of his cheeks, and over a hip. Authorities were called and took the cat to a veterinarian, where he had to be euthanized because of the extent of his injuries. Anyone with information was asked to call authorities, but no suspects had been identified.

January 2016/Barre, Vermont: TimesArgus.com reported that police were notified that two cats who had been allowed to roam outdoors without supervision were trapped and shot by a neighbor. No additional details were given.

January 2016/Elkhorn, Nebraska: NPTelegraph.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten had been found with her leg frozen to a storm drain. A good Samaritan was able to free the kitten’s leg using lukewarm water and took her to a shelter. One of the kitten’s front paws was severely swollen by frostbite, and her right back leg required amputation because it was broken and frostbitten.

January 2016/Boise, Idaho: KBOI2.com reported that a cat who had been allowed to roam outdoors without supervision was found by his owner covered with spray paint. The cat was taken to a veterinarian for treatment. His owner said that another one of her cats had been shot with a BB gun and that “a few” of her neighbors’ cats were missing. It was not reported if authorities had been alerted, and no suspects had been identified.

January 2016/Meriden, Connecticut: NBCConnecticut.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten had been seen being pushed into a snow bank by a snowplow. A good Samaritan was able to retrieve the animal, who was taken to an animal shelter. The freezing kitten was suffering from an upper respiratory infection and was receiving veterinary care.

January 2016/West Fargo, North Dakota: Inforum.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten had been found near a garbage dump with his paws frozen to the ground and “his eyes frozen open.” The veterinarian who treated him said that both eyes were likely damaged from a viral infection before freezing, and one may need to be removed. A good Samaritan was able to retrieve the kitten and transport him to a veterinary hospital worker after being unable to reach local animal shelters. The kitten was receiving treatment.

January 2016/Mashpee, Massachusetts: CapeCodTimes.com reported that a good Samaritan found an apparently homeless cat crying with a “gaping hole in his leg.” He was taken to a shelter that then transported him to a veterinary clinic, where it was determined that the animal had been hit twice by birdshot pellets, once in the back and once in the knee. He also had traumatic injuries consistent with being hit by a car, a serious upper respiratory infection, and a severely injured eye that may need to be removed. His ears were also “tattered” from living outdoors “for some time.” He was receiving treatment. Authorities were alerted, but no suspects had been identified.

January 2016/Highland Township, Michigan: HometownLife.com reported that a cat who had been allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had returned home limping and with a 13.5-centimeter-long blowgun arrow lodged in his or her abdomen. The cat was taken to a veterinarian, where the arrow was removed, and the animal was expected to recover. Authorities were alerted, and no suspects had been identified.

January 2016/South Bend, Indiana: WSBT.com reported that a homeless cat had been found with his leg and tail so severely injured that they required amputation. It was suspected that he had crawled inside a car’s engine for warmth and was injured when the vehicle was started. He was receiving treatment.

January 2016/Lancaster, Pennsylvania: PennLive.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten was pulled from a snowbank by a good Samaritan. The kitten’s legs appeared frozen, her fur was matted with snow, and she was struggling to breathe. She was taken to a veterinary hospital, where it was determined that she was dehydrated and had a fever and bacterial infection. She was being treated.

January 2016/Fairfax County, Virginia: RestonNow.com reported that a cat who had been allowed to roam outdoors without supervision was found with a metal dart protruding from one of his eyes. He was taken to a veterinarian. Authorities were investigating, and no suspects had been identified.

January 2016/Scottsdale, Arizona: ABC15.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten was trapped for almost two days in a stove vent. Neighbors heard his cries and called authorities. The vent had to be disassembled to retrieve the kitten, who was hungry and suffering from dehydration. He was taken to an animal shelter.

January 2016/Spokane, Washington: KTVB.com reported that a cat who had been allowed to roam outdoors without supervision was discovered wedged behind the engine of his owner’s car, where he likely crawled for warmth. The owner said that she smelled burned hair coming through the vehicle’s vents while she was driving. An employee and customers at a tire center helped free the terrified cat, who sustained a burn or scratch on his nose.

January 2016/Eau Claire, Wisconsin: WKOW.com reported that a cat who had either been allowed to roam outdoors without supervision or was homeless was admitted to a veterinary hospital—with burns, a fractured jaw, and an injured eye. It was suspected that he had crawled inside a car’s engine for warmth and was injured when the vehicle was started. He was receiving treatment.

January 2016/Fairfax County, Virginia: WashingtonPost.com reported that a cat who had been allowed to roam outdoors without supervision was found with a dart protruding from his or her eye. The animal was taken to a veterinarian for treatment. Authorities were seeking information in the case, but no suspects had been identified.

January 2016/Bronx, New York: NYDailyNews.com reported that a man had been sentenced to one year in jail for killing a homeless cat by throwing the animal against a wall and running him or her over with a shopping cart. He had then wrapped the cat in a blanket, doused him or her in lighter fluid, and set him or her on fire. The incident was captured by a video surveillance camera. The perpetrator pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated cruelty to animals.

January 2016/McPherson County, Kansas: McPhersonSentinel.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten had been found slumped on the side of a busy highway, emaciated and suffering from dehydration, with his head trapped in a jar. The kitten was taken to a veterinarian for treatment.

January 2016/Lawrence, Massachusetts: Patch.com reported that an apparently homeless cat had been found badly injured at a woman’s door. An animal-control officer transported the animal to a veterinarian, where it was determined that he had sustained traumatic injuries to his face, head, and hips. His jaw was broken, and his right eye was so damaged that it had to be surgically removed, along with a broken tooth. It was suspected that he’d been hit by a car. The cat was underweight, and veterinarians said that he “would have suffered near-constant hunger pangs,” judging by his body weight. He was receiving treatment.

January 2016/Vienna, Virginia: WashingtonPost.com reported that a cat who was either homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found on the side of a road, badly injured. An animal-control officer transported the cat to a veterinary hospital, but he or she was beyond help and died.

January 2016/Amarillo, Texas: ABC7Amarillo.com reported that a cat who was either homeless or allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been found with a blow dart lodged about 2 inches into his or her eye. The dart was apparently homemade out of a sharpened wire, hot glue, and a sponge-like cork. The people who found the cat told authorities that they had removed a dart from the leg of the same cat two weeks before. The animal was taken to a veterinarian for surgery and lost an eye. Anyone with information was asked to contact authorities, but no suspects had been identified.

January 2016/Bernalillo County, New Mexico: KRQE.com reported that an apparently homeless kitten’s head had become trapped in the drain hole of a dumpster. Firefighters used hydraulic tools to free the kitten, who was reportedly “likely one of the feral cats that lives around the station.” The kitten was allowed to run off.

January 2016/Avon, North Carolina: IslandFreePress.org reported that three cats who were described as “part of a well-established colony” that was fed and “maintained” at a business had been found in a dumpster at the property, apparently shot to death. Seven other cats who were regularly fed at the property have not been seen since the night before the incident. Another was missing for some time and returned with gunshot injuries. The injured animal was taken to a veterinarian for treatment. Authorities were investigating, and a suspect had been identified.

January 2016/Dunbar Township, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh.CBSLocal.com reported that an apparently homeless cat had been shot with a “mini-arrow.” It was not reported if the cat survived. Police were investigating, but no suspects had been identified.

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