I heard this horrifying story last week and it is still eating away at me so I just have to share.
It seems that a while back there was a loving cat owner who brought their beloved cat into their local Veterinarian's office to have it bathed. They left their fur baby in what they were assured were loving capable hands and went about their day. The technician later took the cat into the bathing room to bathe, attached a lasso type restraint and then left the cat..... WTF! Of course, if you have any brains at all, you can figure out what happened next. Yes, the cat jumped down and hanged himself. It is too bad that we have to have "filler" people in this world.
First and foremost SHAME on the Vet for hiring someone who obviously had no experience what so ever! We entrust our Animal Children to you! What were you thinking?
Having been the "Cat Bathing Specialist" for one of the Hospitals I worked in, here are a few tips to go over before you take a cat to be bathed. You might ask your Vet or groomer to explain their procedure up front so that you know that they know what they are doing. These are also helpful steps to follow if you bathe your own pets.
1. Never, never, never leave an animal alone and unattended on the bathing table, in the tub or in the sink! Duh!! Make sure you have everything at arms reach before you start anything, and damned the phone, let it ring!
2. Do not lasso or put a collar and leash on a cat! Use a harness for cats and small dogs.
3. Before going to a Veterinarian or groomer, get referrals. Ask your local trusted Animal Rescue group who they use. They will give you the nitty gritty that you truly need to know. Ask friends and neighbors who they use and whither or not they have ever had complaints about a certain Vet Hospital or groomer.
4. Ask your Veterinarian for referrals from clients as well. Happy clients always return!
5. Try to find a Veterinarian or groomer who specializes in bathing cats, then get referrals from their clients first. Again, your Animal Rescue Groups are going to give you the most unbias opinion! They love ALL animals!
I don't know the name of this Hospital or where it occurred so don't ask! But if it had been my Beloved Pet they would no longer be in Practice.
God Bless you, who ever the cats human parents were. I can only imagine your pain and anger. I only pray that you never return to that Stupid unresponsible Veterinary Office.
Mama Cyd
