On behalf of a cat, thanks</MCC HEAD>

Story last updated at 12:37 p.m. Thursday, February 12, 2004

On behalf of a cat, thanks
Frosty the cat was practically frozen to the roadway. Dehydrated, emaciated and exhausted, he was found sitting in the middle of an icy road, his ears hanging limp off his head from frostbite. He was too tired to walk any further so he just sat there, on the ice, until the fur and skin on his paws were worn away from frostbite as well. Fortunately, he was brought to the shelter and fortunately Frosty received the care he needed. Whirlpool baths debrided layers of dead skin from his pads. Gauze wraps protected the raw skin not only on his pads, but also on his heels. His ears grew crunchy and hard with no life left in the skin at all. With lots of fluids and high-calorie food he began his recovery.

A few days later Frosty's ears dropped off completely, leaving raw red stumps atop his head. However, he is not complaining. He is so happy to be inside, warm and well-fed. All day he sits and bathes his wounds, ever-so-grateful for life and warmth and human companionship. If he's not licking his feet, he's sleeping. And when he's picked up by somebody, he does not hesitate to give kisses of gratitude and appreciation.

Frosty's lesson is a hard-learned one. Please heed it. You can learn more about him at homeranimalshelter.com. Anyone who thinks they can let their cat outside in the winter, or at any time, is fooling themselves. They are not wild animals, they cannot survive and their suffering is real. Cars, eagles, dogs, other cats there are endless dangers which cause cats to run away from home territory and end up like Frosty, frozen to an icy road with no familiar sites or sounds to lead them back home. An indoor cat is a safe cat is a healthy and happy cat. Unfortunately, the animal shelter right now is filled with so many cats, great cats, beautiful cats, loving cats. People are still not understanding what we're trying to say:

Please get your cats spayed or neutered. Please get your cats some toys and play with them. Please don't let your cats outside to freeze or starve or suffer or die.

Diana Sedor, , Homer Animal Friends

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