07/17/2024
Carriers are NOT optional!!!
How many times have you been in front of a vet or spay/neuter clinic and seen cats loose in a car? Seen people walk up to the door holding the cat in their arms? And heard them scoff at the need to confine the cat – “MY cat is fine – s/he’s so mellow, there is no worry” :( Maybe they show up with the cat in an open box…
We did a post yesterday on carriers and all the problems we see with malfunctioning carriers – bad latches, bad designs, people in a hurry and not checking - but this is a different topic. This concerns people who simply do not use one at all! And the true heartache happens when that cat – that mellow, no worry cat – gets frightened and bolts from the owner’s arms. Rescuers often spend hours, days, weeks looking for that terrified cat, who is now lost in unfamiliar territory. This is a tragedy that does not have to happen!
Little Mr. G, pictured below, is a kitten saved long ago – he actually WAS in a carrier, but his human took him out to show him to someone else – in an open car in a huge parking lot. In the blink of an eye he was gone – and only found 3 weeks later due to intense work and dedication by a group of rescuers. He came so close to never being found…
This is not an easy one to solve, but it requires all of us to work on educating the community. ALWAYS make sure those who adopt from you have a carrier. Make sure they understand WHY they need to always use it. Ask friends and family if they have a carrier – it is shocking how many people own cats and yet have no carrier! If they cannot afford one, get them one – carriers are often given away by rescue groups when they get old, or they can be found for $1-2 at garage sales. Carry an old carrier in the car – not only is it good for emergencies you find, you can have it to give away if you see a risky situation. Supposedly a pillow case is a good emergency use for someone who has no carrier – personally I’ve stopped recommending this as I’ve seen cats rip their way out :( Offer to make a poster for your vet’s office explaining why a carrier is required – not optional. And don’t be shy, if you see someone in public with a cat not confined, explain why that is not a good idea. Perhaps starting the conversation with “oh, you know just yesterday a tame cat got scared and escaped, and we haven’t found him yet. You need to confine your cat – may I help you?” Most clinics will have a spare carrier to loan, offer to go inside and get the carrier for them.
