A horrific picture of a badly neglected cat found outside a house in Brimbank’s north could go global.
International welfare organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) plans to use the image of the dying cat in the fight against animal cruelty.
It was rescued by Western Suburbs Cat and Kitten Rescue on February 12.
WSCKR founder Nathan Miles said the stray cat, found in “horrific condition”, was being fed by a Brimbank resident but had to be put down by a veterinarian.
“I was horrified,” he said. “It had suffered for weeks and most likely months.
‘‘It was emaciated, its eye had rotted out, its face was rotting away and it was bleeding.’’
Mr Miles said the feline had been a victim of “semi-ownership” and the woman feeding it was only prolonging the inevitable.
“People think if they report it, animals will be put down, but how would they like to suffer like that? Sometimes the kindest thing to do is get a vet to put it to sleep. People need to take proper ownership of their pets, or take it to the RSPCA or council.” Mr Miles said Brimbank had a high rate of stray and feral animals. “The western suburbs has had a stray cat problem for many years.”
The Weekly revealed last June there were more than 5400 requests for animal management services in Brimbank last financial year, mostly related to dogs and stray cats.
PETA animal sheltering advisor Jennifer Brown said: “PETA is dedicated to educating the public about inherent dangers in allowing cats to roam freely.
“The photo is pure heartbreak.”
