A sad casualty

It is with a very heavy heart that I write this posting.

Yesterday, a cat-feeder who has sent cats to us before for spaying, called me to ask for our sponsorship in getting another one of her female cats spayed today.  She said she had been trying very hard to catch this cat and apparently the cat had just walked into the cage all by herself yesterday so she would like to send the cat for spaying. 

The appointment was made and the cat was sent to the clinic this morning.  The operation went well, but shortly after that, the cat developed respiratory problems.  She started gasping for air.  The vet called to inform me and I told him to do everything possible to save the cat.  The vet said he had already put the cat on a hot-plate to keep her warm and she was put on oxygen as well. 

I drove to the vet’s clinic as soon as I could, but by the time I reached, the cat had already collapsed due to respiratory failure and had passed away. 

I called the cat-feeder to tell her the news and it was then that she told me she knew the cat was very weak.  

The OHE (spaying) is a major surgery and all animals have to be in good health before undergoing such a surgery.  I would like to appeal to all feeders, rescuers and caregivers to please help us by ensuring (to the best of their ability) that the animal is in good health, is active and has been eating well before sending the animal in for any surgery (spaying or neutering). 

No one knows the animals as well as their caregivers (the people who look after and handle them).  The vet can only do a physical examination and if there are no signs to indicate poor health, the vet will proceed with the surgery.  If the caregiver knows of any condition (has not been eating well, wheezing problems, weakness, etc.) of the animal under their care, we urge them to please inform the vet so that the vet can then advise whether the animal should go through with the surgery or not.  We do not want to subject any animal to any unnecessary risks, or worse, to a loss of life.  While getting stray animals spayed and neutered is one of our main objectives, protecting the lives of existing animals is more important and should be prioritised. 

The first letter in our CNRM acronym is “C” and this stands for CARE.  Please care for the animal first and foremost, before getting the animals neutered.  We do not recommend rescuers catching strays off the street and sending them immediately for the operation without knowing at least a little bit of history and background of the animal.  Rather, we recommend that rescuers/feeders/caregivers start by making friends with, caring for and feeding the animal.  This would give the caregiver some time to get to know the animal and the condition of its health.  Neutering comes after that. 

This is why I coined CNRM and I did not use “TNRM” (T = Trap) as trapping can be a very traumatic experience for any animal and the stress increases the chances of complications during surgery.  Unless we have the proper knowledge, skill and expertise in trapping, I would not recommend an inexperienced person to simply trap the animals.  Let’s not be too gung-ho in getting animals spayed-neutered at the expense of losing our sight on what’s more important – saving and protecting lives. 

We will provide the funds to help caregivers with the spaying/neutering costs, but we urge them to please ensure that the animal is in good health before sending them for the operation.  

Let’s work together on this, and do our best for the animals under our care.   

May the cat who lost her life today not die in vain.  May we all be more diligent, careful and wiser in caring for the animals who cross our paths. 

May the cat be in a happier existence now.