When we think about cats, we often picture them as independent little creatures who can take care of themselves. They spend hours wandering outside, playing in the sun, and coming back home just to eat and groom their fur.
This gives us the impression that they are low-maintenance pets. But the truth is, some cats have fur that needs regular grooming. If their owners don’t keep up with it, things can quickly spiral out of control.
Take the case of a cat named Hidey. This sweet girl suffered for years because her owner, who was battling Alzheimer’s disease, couldn’t care for her properly. As a result, Hidey went without grooming for so long that her beautiful fur became a huge tangled mess. By the time animal rescuers found her, she was covered in so many ‘dreadlocks’ that she looked like an octopus!
The rescue mission started when Hidey’s owner was moved to a nursing home. Concerned neighbors noticed the poor cat and quickly called the Animal Rescue League Shelter and Wildlife Center in Pittsburgh. “We knew we had to help,” one of the rescuers said, filled with compassion for Hidey.
Animal experts estimated that Hidey had been neglected for almost two years! Some of her dreadlocks measured between 6 to 8 inches long, making her look even more uncomfortable.
Dr. Jenn Levitzki, a dedicated vet who worked hard to help Hidey, documented the rescue process in a heartfelt video she posted on Facebook. “I have never seen such severe matting in a cat. She has dreadlocks like I’ve never encountered,” she exclaimed, clearly shocked by the condition of the cat. To ensure Hidey felt comfortable during the grooming, the veterinary team gently sedated her.
As the team began the delicate process of shaving off the heavy layers of matted fur, they could finally see the real Hidey emerging beneath all that tangled hair. “She suffered from severe matting—dreadlocks, really—something that had been neglected for far too long,” a post on the shelter’s Facebook page explained.
“Our medical team shaved off pounds of intertwined fur from her body. And needless to say, this cat is feeling so much better now!”
Once Hidey was free from her matted coat, she was placed in a loving new home with a distant relative of her previous owner. This happy ending reminds us how important it is to check in on our elderly neighbors and their pets. With a little care and attention, we can prevent situations like Hidey’s from happening again.
This touching story encourages us to look after our elderly loved ones and their furry friends. What do you think? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!
