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Animal advocates allege animal abuse in ‘cat vs scorpion’ video

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Animal advocates have taken exception to a YouTube video showing cats being attacked by a large scorpion; calling the potential deadly encounter animal abuse. A police complaint was filed in Bankok on Friday against Nate Bartling, who goes under the title of “My Mate Nate.” Bartling is a former Mormon missionary who rose in fame in Thailand for his tasteless “prank videos.” His online presence had been scarce after a video showing the cruel torture of a fish which made him one of the most disliked characters on social media. And then he’s back!

According to SinarOnline,  Nutch Prasopsin, the administrator of “Toon Hua Khong Bao,” a popular website (Kingdom of Tigers) with animal lovers, (especially cats) filed the complaint alleging animal abuse for exposing the cats to a venomous scorpion. Police official, Lt-Colonel Kampol Ratanaprateep agrees the video was an act of animal cruelty, even though Bartling has argued the scorpion was not poisonous; a medical specialist stated the venom could kill a cat.

On her website and Facebook page, Nutch called on animal lovers to show their force against acts of cruelty against animals. The controversial YouTube video “Cat vs scorpion: Who will win?”, was posted three days ago and has garnered over a million views. Most of the comments condemned his actions with Nutch posting an open letter to him stating:

“As a person who loves cats, I cannot tolerate or accept uncouth acts involving animals in these clips. I want you to take full responsibility as the owner of guardian of the cat(s) that you have used or may use in your clips.”

Bartling has lived in Thailand for three years, claiming he “never went to university. I only finished high school. It’s hard to believe his fame of “prank videos” that make fun and humiliate other people are so famous. If found guilty of animal cruelty, Bartling faces a maximum fine of $1,100 or up to two years in prison.

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(Photo via screenshot Thai PBS)

 

WARNING: The following video is disturbing and may not be suitable for all viewing audiences.

 

 

Missouri teens arrested after posting video of dragging kitten behind vehicle

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Two Branson, Missouri teens faces animal abuse charges after posting a disturbing video on Facebook of a kitten tied to the the back of a moving vehicle. Kyle Williams, 18, and Jordan Michael Derek Hall, 18, were arrested on Saturday night according to a press release by police. The video showed people “laughing as the kitten tossed and turned” while being dragged to his excruciatingly painful death.

Hall, 18, has been accused of driving the vehicle that dragged the cat until it was dead. According to the report, Hall drove the 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the cat tied to the back of the bumper. The report states the cat tried to run behind the vehicle until it was exhausted and couldn’t not run any more.  Prior photos of the cat in the beginning of the video, showed the animal looked “healthy and scared” before being brutally dragged to his death.

According to Facebook readers, who viewed the disturbing video which was removed a short time later, Williams posed with the dead cat and beneath the picture, he captioned:

“Try to guess how I killed my cat, but you can’t.”

The cat had been dragged for five minutes, and individuals were heard laughing; even when the SUV stopped and it started again dragging the cat, one sick individual could be heard yelling:

“Keep going. Don’t stop. He’s almost dead.”

In a report from the Branson Trilakes News, Hall admitted it wasn’t right what was done to the cat, but nevertheless he continued torturing the defenseless animal.Both men have been charged with a class E felony of animal abuse and armed criminal action. Williams appeared in court on Monday to be arraigned, however he displayed disruptive behavior and was removed. His next court appearance is scheduled to June 12. Both men were being held in jail in lieu of $15,000 bond, It is not known if they have since bailed out of jail.

Rest in peace poor cat. We hope you get some justice.

(Photos of Missouri teens accused of dragging kitten via booking photos)

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Read about the 4-year-old German shepherd Xavier who had been forgotten – now he has a chance at a new life.

 

 

 

 

 

Puffy Paws Kitty Haven, a cat hospice and rescue shelter

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Puffy Paws Kitty Haven is a no kill cat hospice and rescue shelter located in Englewood, Florida. They humorously bill themselves on line and on Facebook as the “World’s Greatest Cat House.” And indeed, they are. The founders and operators, Rick and Chrissy Kingston work very hard, day in and day out caring for two hundred special needs and unwanted kitties on their own.

Puffy Paws Kitty Haven takes care of the largest amount of special needs cats and kittens in the area. They care for cats with feline leukemia, FIV, blind cats, feral cats, epileptic cats, senior kitties, kitties with only one eye and more. All of these special needs cats and kittens would have been euthanized because they would be deemed un-adoptable. None of the cats or kittens are put down due to behavior problems, space or adopt-ability issues. The only ones that are humanely euthanized are those with medical conditions that cause pain and suffering and have no chance of survival.

Also, Puffy Paws is the first rescue in the area to feature adoptable and special needs cats live on the Internet. It all started 16 years ago in the loving home of Chrissy and Rick Kingston. There they took in cats and sometimes even families of cats. In the fall of 2009, Puffy Paws Kitty Haven moved outside the Kingston’s home. To better handle the different medical needs, they have separated them into two separate living quarters. The “Haven Home” is a 2200 square foot building which houses the healthy, adoptable kitties and a permanent resident for those that have physical, emotional and behavioral problems. The second building is 800 square feet with a 400-square foot used solely for kitties with feline leukemia. This section has been nicknamed the “The Kitty Angel Club.”

Over the last 11 years, founder Chrissy Kingston estimated that she has worked thousands of hours caring for the kitties and spent over $100,000.00 on unwanted though loving cats and kittens.

Puffy Paws Kitty Haven was named after a small, sickly kitten that was part of the Kingston’s family for only one year. The kitten’s name was “Poo-Puffy Paws,” or “Poo Puff” for short.  Although he was a happy, well loved, and well cared for kitten, he passed away during Hurricane Charlie in 2004. Naming the Haven after this very special kitten represented to the Kingstons something they wanted others to know and appreciate; one kitty at a time can change the heart of one person at a time.

On November 20th, 2006, Puffy Paws Kitty Haven became a not-for-profit corporation. This allowed Puffy Paws to raise funds for the cats currently in their care as well as future cats that will come to them needing a safe haven. But caring for 200 cats can be very costly and difficult to maintain when you rely solely on donations. It costs $946.00 a month to feed the cats and $275-$300 a day for cleaning supplies to keep the two buildings spotless and the litter-boxes clean.

(Photo of cat hospice via Facebook)

To read more about Puffy Paws Kitty Haven, donate or adopt one of their cats visit their website.

Also, visit their Facebook page.

“What greater gift than the love of a cat?”
—Charles Dickens (author, Great Expectations)

Friendly cat pierced through her upper body with razor-sharp arrow

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In a heartless act of animal cruelty, a neighborhood cat was discovered on Sunday  afternoon with a razor-sharp arrow piercing her upper body. A homeowner from the San Antonio, Texas area near Valley Hi Drive heard a loud noise in her front yard, and when she went out to investigate found the critically wounded cat.  According to the press release from the City of San Antonio, the orange tabby identified as Maggie was rushed to an emergency veterinarian office for treatment, but had to be euthanized due to the extent of her injuries.

Animal Care Services spokesperson, Lisa Norwood, Maggie had been microchipped and had been seen by witnesses wandering in the neighborhood. The cat had recently been rehomed after her original family moved out of the area.

Authorities have received several leads as to the person(s) who committed this disturbing crime to a friendly and trusting cat. Anyone with information is asked to contact Animal Services at 210.207.7234.

(Photos of cat shot with razor-sharp arrow via Animal Services)
City Service Requests & Information Dial 311 or 210.207.6000

Rest in peace Maggie. Your death was inexcusable.

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Outrage over live kittens put inside claw machine

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Instead of pulling stuffed toys out from a claw machine, a Chinese shop has caused outrage throughout social media which lets players scoop up a real live kitten inside of the machine. In China, the claw machine games are very popular, and in this particular “amusement park” five kittens just a few weeks old were the prizes.

One of the videos showed three black and white kittens inside the machine as a man dropped a coin and used his skill to grab one of the kittens. An attached sticker near the funnel stated, “Master, bring me home.” The one kitten looked scared as the “claw” moved near her, but when it hit her neck, the claw missed and failed to pick here up. According to the Daily Mail, the video was originally posted on April 9 and went viral on Chinese social media. It is suggested that the filming took place in one of the Chinese cities, according to Chung Tien TV. Another video showed even younger kittens inside the machine as a woman tried to snag one – she missed and complained the machine was rigged!

When the video initially circulated, a few social media comments thought the action was “cute.” Not long after that however, people became more and more irate stating the machine “claws” were never intended to pick up live animals – much less defenseless kittens. One person commenting may have summed up the entire disturbing debacle with the following words:

“Omg I have never seen such a pathetic thing in my whole life, like who the hell thought that would be a good idea? I would slap that person and put him in that freaking machine.”

Photos of kittens in claw machine via shots captured from You Tube.

Wouldn’t we all? Watch the video here:

 

 

Son gives mom robotic cat after dementia forced her to surrender her pet

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This is a story about animals and people – maybe Virginia’s story about a robotic cat strays a bit farther away from what is usually written on these pages, but nevertheless, it’s about humans and how we relate and love our four-legged friends and companions. When a Washington senior mom, Virginia Smith needed 24/7 care as her health  deteriorated after the death of her husband and she was forced to surrender her cat, something very special was missing.

James Allen Smith moved his mother closer to him in Seattle, and from there he made arrangements for her to live in a full care residential community; Virginia has dementia. Whenever her son would visit, James couldn’t help but feel his mother’s heartbreak and the emotional toll not having a cat after so many years she shared with her best feline friends. James knew had deeply she missed her pets. And so, this wonderful son Googled “robotic cats” and from there, Virginia’s life would get a little better.

The Hasbro robotic kitty – all white and fluffy has just filled that void in Virginia’s heart. Watch as she comes alive and smiles. Robotic therapy animals have made headlines throughout the world. “Precious,” a Joy For All Companion Cat by Hasbro, responds to touch with lifelike motions; memory care patients enjoy holding and petting them. The cats can turn over for belly rubs and responds with a sweet meow and purrs as she stretches – just like a real cat. This time, however there are no allergies, no cat litter to deal with or veterinarian visits. Still these soft animal replicas bring kindness, joy and comfort.

Nothing wrong with having something to love. Thank you James Allen Smith for helping your mom and spreading the word.

More information and warning signs of dementia can be found here.

(Photo of robotic cat via ABC News )

Check out the heartwarming video here:

Heartbreaking cruelty: Cat found impaled by arrow

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Police are searching for the person who impaled a cat with a sharp object and an arrow early on Wednesday morning. The heartbreaking cruelty was discovered by a hotel employee on the 800 block of Collins Court in Miami Beach, who found the yellow cat with an arrow through his head and another sharp object sticking out of his neck. According to Channel 7News, the frightened and fatally injured cat had been hiding under a dumpster.

The cat is one of four that live behind the Franklin Hotel on Collins Avenue and have been taken care of  by the hotel’s former owner who is now offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of  the responsible person(s). It was Georgio, a hotel employee who found the cat named Strush hiding.

“I hear, ‘meow, meow,’ so, over here, right here,” Giorgio said. “You see – look, look – you see the blood right here, right there. He had an arrow in the head.”

The cat was rushed to Dr. Rachael Johnson, a veterinarian at VCA Alton Road Animal Hospital. Strush suffered terribly as the arrow penetrated behind one of his eyes and came out his mouth. Rescue staff said the cat was non-responsive upon arrival. Sadly, Strush had to be humanely euthanized.

Miami Beach detectives are looking for the person or people behind the animal cruelty. Anyone with information is urged to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Help Strush find justice.

Photos of cat impaled by arrow courtesy of Miami Beach Police

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$6,000 reward offered in case of cat doused with gasoline and thrown in garbage bag

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A $6,000 reward has been offered to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who doused a cat with gasoline and threw her in a garbage bag in Reading, Pennsylvania earlier this week. Had the sanitation workers not heard the cat’s desperate meows, she would have been crushed in the back of the garbage truck. The cat was discovered on Tuesday near the 500 block of North Front Street.

According to WfmzNews, Dr. Kimya Davani, with the Berks County Humane Hospital where the cat was taken for immediate emergency care, stated the cat was also tied up.

“I’m not sure if she initially went through the garbage truck, but she was tied up in a trash bag doused in gasoline,” stated Dr. Davani. “She was in shock, very dehydrated, underweight and her temperature was extremely low-life threatening.”

Rescuers have now named the cat ‘Miracle Maisy’, who is estimated to be no more than one-year-old. How she lived for at least six hours breathing in the fumes of gasoline is unknown, and how many of her nine lives she had to use to survive is also unknown. The cat’s medical staff, who spent nearly the entire day treating her, have been very concerned how the gasoline which soaked into her fur would affect her lungs and neurological functions, but so far Miracle Maisy is doing fine. Most of her fur had to be shaved away because the gasoline was so embedded that her fur couldn’t dry and her body temperature continued to fall to dangerously low levels.

Maisy will remain at Humane Pennsylvania’s hospital in Reading. Officials said they expect her to make a full recovery where she will be made available for adoption. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Alerts Berks at 877.373.9913 or the Reading Police Department at 610.655.6116.

If only all rescue stories could end “happily ever after.” Be the voice for those who cannot speak. Many thanks to the sanitation workers who saved the life of a helpless kitten.

(Photos of cat doused with gasoline screenshots via Wfmz News and Berks County Humane Society)

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Man killed 2 cats using martial arts because of his daughter’s allergies

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In Greene, Maine the man accused of killing two cats, using “his knowledge of martial arts how to choke things out” has been charged with aggravated animal cruelty. Michael Herrmann, 47, surrendered to the Androscoggin County Jail in Auburn on Friday after police issued an arrest warrant.

According to Wcsh6News, Herrmann killed the cats with his bare hands because he didn’t want the animals in the house because of his daughter’s allergy. The cats reportedly belonged to a friend of the family who dropped the cats off at Herrmann’s home. Animal Control Officer Wendell Strout had been investigating the deaths of the cats after receiving a report the cats had been victims of animal cruelty.

Herrmann did lead authorities to a snowmobile trail in the woods where the dead cats were found still in their carriers. He  allegedly told the Animal Control Officer he just didn’t have time to take the cats to the Humane Society and felt they would have been euthanized there anyway. Herrmann has since bonded out of jail, however he is prohibited from having any animals.

Rest in peace innocent pets.

(Photo of suspect who is charged with using martial arts to strangle 2 cats via Androscoggin County Jail)

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Read the amazing story of a lost shepherd showing up at his family’s home four years later.

 

Dumped: 20-year-old cat surrendered to shelter

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Buttons, a 20-year-old cat, was surrendered  by his owner on March 4, along with some other cats from the family.  Saving Sage Animal Rescue, a Miami, Florida rescue organization posted the sad news on their Facebook page asking for help:

“BUTTONS, A 20 YEAR OLD CAT DUMPED AT KILL SHELTER. Yes you read that correctly, this cat is 20 years old. He was dumped at the shelter with some of his siblings. Heartbreaking isn’t it?

Buttons is now safe, we pulled him early this am. He is currently at Pet Express Animal Hospital in Davie getting a thorough check up and a senior blood panel. Buttons will also be quarantined so that we know all is good before we send him off to a pre-approved potential adopter.”

Kathy Bieniek, vice president of the group, responded to the plea for help from the Miami shelter when she realized Buttons was not up for adoption because of his advanced age.  When she picked him up, the friendly cat enjoyed a back rub, and seemed to have voiced his appreciation with a few well-placed meows while on the way to the vet’s office. Buttons is being treated for tapeworms and has been receiving intravenous fluids. It wasn’t long, however before animal advocates and followers of the rescue group shared Buttons’ plight and an adoption offer arose.

According to People, Jennifer will be fostering the cat at her home in Jupiter, Florida:

“She saw this story and it touched her heart. She is a wonderful foster mommy; she has a special place in her heart for seniors. She just adopted a week or so ago a senior around 15 years old from an elderly person,” Bieniek stated. “I am hoping this senior lives out his life getting the love and attention he so much deserves and hasn’t gotten up until this point. Nobody should be disposed of like garbage.”

For more information about donating, volunteering, fostering or adopting, check out Saving Sage Animal Rescue Foundation via its website.

(Photos of 20-year-old cat surrendered via Facebook for Saving Sage Animal Rescue)

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