Regarding winter/cats & cars

[NoahGrey]

Hey guys,

Since winter is fast approaching, (i know it seems like winter, but it's not offically winter till Dec 21) anyhoo, it is however extremely cold outside.

Just wanted to remind everyone, that before going out to your car in the morning PLEASE either pound on the hood or honk your horn a few times and in both times wait a few seconds before starting your cars.

Car engines are the perfect warm toasty spot for a cat that is outdoors in the winter and looking to keep warm.

I have already had one case, of a cat that was in a car engine and the car was turned on. Half of the cats face was pretty much gone. It was humanely put down. Poor guy also. It ended up binging his girlfriends cat. He was at the vets and was calling her.

So PLEASE think before you start your car in the morning.

Maybe Marko, can make this a sticky?

ACO22

[BenMax]

Thank you ACO22 for this very important alert. Indeed many cats are seriously maimed or killed in this fashion.

This is an excellent reminder to all.

[aslan]

great advice ACO22

[rainbow]

Excellent advice.

Even if you don't have a cat yourself there are unfortuneately lots of strays out there. :sad:

[Love4himies]

Excellent advice, many years ago I lost a cat who got into a neighbour's car motor.

[Mat&Murph]

Awsome advice!! Nice to be reminded once in awhile!! My truck amkes alot of noise but I will honk the horn just in case

[phoozles]

One of my mom's exboyfriend's kitties lost his hind leg due to sleeping by a fan belt - he came home and it was hanging on by a tendon :sad:

[Longblades]

Since this thread is already started I just have to tell you my cat's story. Don't worry it's a 9 lives story.

My Mum started the car and black fur shot out through the cracks between the hood and the car. We found Twitchie huddled under our oil tank, around the side of the house. There was no blood in the snow. I thought, if she has internal injuries and I drag her out I might make them worse. On the other hand I can't leave her there.

Out she came and was examined thoroughly. One hind leg had fur missing in a strip from toe to stifle but the leg worked properly and there was no other sign of damage. Today I would haved rushed her to the VEt for a checkup but back then people didn't do such things, I was a child, and she was FINE. No lasting effects at all. A miracle, she truly did use up one of her 9 lives.

The car was not fine. Mum couldn't steer. The cat's leg had knocked the power steering belt right off. Have you ever tried to put a power steering belt on a car? It is HARD. A big burly mechanic had to use a lever to get it back on. Yet the cat's leg, which took the belt off, was only missing some hair. WHEW.

Hope I haven't hijacked.

I would not count on the above good luck story ever happening again and we pound on our cars regularly now.

[AmericanBullMom]

Great thread ACO.
I have SEEN what happens to kitties that get in cars...:sad: gives me nightmares

For anyone else, please keep YOUR kitties inside! They are much happier in a warm lap, than in a car hood!

[heart433]

Oh m god that's terrifying about the car. Makes me glad to keep my kitties inside all year round, keeps 'em safe.

[dollface]

I had no idea this happens! My car has an alarm so in order for me to get in the car it goes off to unlock the door, I hope this has been enuf warning in the past, if necessary. Right now we park underground and have only seen one cat wander in. When we move to a house I will keep this in mind!

[Koteburo]

Yes please!
What a good reminder. OMG that story made me so so sad
When I was in elementary school that happened to my dad and a kitty in his car. I was so sad they didn't tell me until later. Every since they always honk and also look from behind.
But don't let this happen for you to know about it. Please follow the advice in this thread to prevent this horrible and sad thing to happen.

[sandyrivers]

a friend of mine has a remote car starter he uses in winter to warm up his car before leaving...
I will share this info with him...

sandyrivers

[Ani-Mei]

That's scary, we've lived in a house and never knew to check the car's engines in the morning. It was a quiet neighbourhood and there were a few outdoor cats around. Where we are now, the complex is on a busy main road and I don't see any dogs or cats outside since it's too dangerous with the road right there. All our cats are indoor cats, it keeps them safer. We have coyotes who wander around this city occasionally so that's another reason to keep them inside.

[Barkingdog]

Thank you for posting this again , I had seen a cat around my condo and I am not sure if it lost or what . I will have to be sure check my car before starting it up.


http://www.snopes.com/critters/mishaps/catscars.asp



Longblades , I m going to tell my daughter that about the remote , maybe her car does the same

[Longblades]

I have a new car with remote start on it. I've never had remote start before. Apparently I can program it to sound the horn twice before starting up.