Abandoned Mother Cat and Kittens Make Full Recovery

Los Angeles, CA – A cat and her four kittens have fully recovered after being left outside in direct sunlight on the hottest day of the year. On September 26, 2016, when the temperature soared to a blistering 104 degrees, the vulnerable clowder were abandoned in a carrier and left outside of the spcaLA South Bay Pet Adoption Center. Luckily, a volunteer saw it, hidden in an alcove. When she approached the carrier, she was horrified to see animals inside.

The mother, Heidi, and her one month old kittens were panting and dangerously overheated. Heidi’s internal temperature was a perilous 105 degrees – the average normal temperature for a cat is about 101 degrees. The spcaLA veterinary team worked quickly to reduce their temperatures and hydrate them. “We had no idea how long they’d been out there, or the extent of the internal damage,” said Dr. Brittin Ross, Director of Veterinary Medicine at spcaLA.

Thanks to the swift actions taken, Heidi, Dolly-Jill, Holly-Anne, Polly-Petunia, and Molly-Mae made a full recovery and no permanent damage is apparent. All are available for adoption at the spcaLA South Bay Pet Adoption Center located at 12910 Yukon Ave. in Hawthorne.

Healthy happy kittens available for adoption

Healthy happy kittens available for adoption

“Abandoning an animal is a crime in California,” said spcaLA President Madeline Bernstein. “These animals were lucky, but this could have ended in tragedy. Unwanted animals are set loose, hit by cars, left to starve, or become victim to other hazards resulting in horrific injuries or deaths.” Abandoning an animal is a violation of California Penal Code 597.S and is a misdemeanor with a $500 fine.

To donate to the care of Heidi and her litter, and all abused and abandoned animals, please visit spcaLA.com or call 323-730-5300 x233.

For more information, please contact Ana Bustilloz at 323-730-5300 x252, cell 323-707-1271 or abustilloz@spcaLA.com.

Society for the Prevention Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA) is an independent, nonprofit animal welfare organization serving Southern California since 1877. There is no national SPCA, parent organization, or umbrella group that provides financial support to spcaLA. Donations run programs and services including Animal Cruelty Investigations, Disaster Animal Response Team, Humane Education, Violence Prevention and Intervention, and a variety of shelter services.