Grandma Moses Saved From Drowning
by Elisa Black-Taylor
(USA)
Grandma Moses warmed up.
Good morning dear readers. No, I haven't lost my mind-yet. I'd about guarantee the title for this article got your attention. This is one of those good story/bad story articles about an abandoned cat who almost drowned in the Charles River near Boston, Massachusetts. Thanks to a Good Samaritan kayaker, the cat, named Grandma Moses by the MSPCA staff, is still alive and in a new home.
I'm writing this article for several reasons. The first is I've never seen a story on this type of abuse before. Second-it got my attention. Third-the penalty for this is more than a slap on the wrist in Massachusetts. Last, but not least, I want to share a totally unrelated link to this story on this page. It concerns drowning and I believe everyone should pass that link along. So please forward this link at pictures-of-cats.org to your non-animal owner friends as well as to those who love their pets.
The people of Massachusetts are as upset over this cat as the ones in Ohio are over their recent cruelty cases. Most of the comments on the news articles suggest drowning the abuser or at least giving him a good roll in the dirt with a million fire ants. That sounds like a good idea to me.
Those involved with the case say this is the worst case of animal abandonment they've ever seen.
Now for the story on Grandma Moses and the kayaker who saved her life. This Good Samaritan was on the Charles River for a day of kayaking when he noticed a partially submerged cat carrier near the shoreline. It never crossed his mind that a poor cat was trapped inside. The distressed cat was putting up a struggle and gasping for breath. This caused the carrier to move enough for the rescuer to know there was something alive inside the carrier. He later stated he thought he'd find a duck or a goose. He found a cat barely clinging to life
He rescued the fully grown cat and immediately transported her to the Massachusetts SPCA's Animal Care and Adoption Center where she was given emergency treatment. She was suffering from hypothermia when she arrived and it took several hours of heat under a Bair Hugger to raise Grandma Moses's core temperature.
Radiographs from Angell Animal Medical Center showed the cat's stomach was full of air caused by gasping for breath. We can all thank Dr. Cynthia Cox and her medical team for saving the life of this poor abandoned cat.
The video embedded code isn't available from YouTube. Click this link to see it on YouTube. I'd advise my readers to grab the Kleenex before viewing this. There's no actual violence in it, but it's heartbreaking to think someone could do this to such a beautiful animal.
Massachusetts doesn't play around with animal abusers. This is definitely NOT the state to abuse an animal as their penalty is more than a slap on the wrist. I think it's about time for animal abusers to face serious consequences for their actions. The state law classifies this case as abandonment and carries a fine up to $2500 and up to five years in prison. That's still not enough, if you ask me. It is an improvement over the petty fines many states call "punishment."
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call 1-800-628-5808
This wasn't an accident. Whoever did this was SICK and needs to be punished. Jean Weber, The MSPCA director of animal protection, would like to remind everyone that animals should be surrendered to a shelter or rescue. Not left abandoned without food, water or proper shelter. I don't know about my readers, but I'd like to throw this person into the Charles River in a locked cage and NOT rescue him.
Grandma Moses recovered within a few weeks and applications were taken to find her a good home.You'll all be glad to hear she is now in a new furever home. I'm glad this story has a happy ending. So many of mine don't.
And now for the totally unrelated link. Nothing whatsoever to do with cats. Michael said this is my page so I really want to share this with everyone. I bookmarked the page because everything I've ever thought I knew about drowning is WRONG. This link can save a life and I urge all of my readers to read this and pass it along. You may save a life.
It feels right to add this to the end of an article on near drowning. This article is called Drowning Looks Different Than You Think. Be sure to also read the comments at the bottom.
Elisa
Sources:
Photo of Grandma Moses: this is a still frame screen shot from the video added by Michael. This is either in the public domain or fair use is pleaded.
http://blogs.catster.com/the-cats-meow-a-cat-and-kitten-blog/drowning-animal-cruelty-victim-saved-by-kayaker/2010/07/23/
