The Animal Welfare Society of South Africa (AWS) is warning pet owners to be on the lookout for their pets during the cold.
- The AWS is warning pet owners to always be aware of the whereabouts of their pets in winter.
- This after a Hanover Park cat owner rushed her cat to it after it was trapped inside a tumble dryer.
- AWS spokesperson Allan Perrins said they have rescued and treated lots of cats found stuck in washing machines and under car bonnets.
The Animal Welfare Society of South Africa (AWS) has warned pet owners to be extra vigilant with their pets after a cat found its way into a tumble dryer.
The incident happened in Hanover Park last Wednesday, when the cat’s owner accidentally locked it in the tumble dryer for about 10 minutes.
By the time she noticed that her beloved cat was frantically trying to escape, it was almost too late. She ended up rushing it to the AWS.
According to AWS, the cat had climbed into the dryer looking for warmth when the owner accidentally switched the dryer on.
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“The cat was admitted to us, frothing from the mouth due to extensive concussion from the constant tumbling,” its spokesperson, Allan Perrins, told News24.
“She had suffered irreparable brain damage due to oxygen deprivation, had collapsed lungs due to inhalation of hot air and a host of other serious internal injuries and external burns from the hot metal drum,” Perrins said.
Upon extensive examination of the cat, it was decided it would be in the animal’s best interest for it to be euthanised.
According to AWS, this is not the first time that cats are being brought into the shelter under these conditions.
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“With the authorisation from the emotional family, it was agreed upon that the cat’s suffering should end,” he added.
According to the AWS, this was not the first time that cats were being brought into the shelter under these conditions.
Perrins said during winter, pets craved a warm and draft-free place to sleep.
“We have rescued and treated many who were found stuck in washing machines and under car bonnets.”
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He added they were literally cooked alive and the extent of their injuries was so severe they did not bear repeating.
Another pet owner who went through a similar ordeal, Liza Callian, said she had to take both her cats to the AWS in Stellenbosch recently after they sustained extensive burns.
“It’s the most heart palpitation moment ever! I had thrown my clothing into the dryer and did not bother checking inside before switching it on.”
AWS spokesperson Allan Perrins said they have rescued and treated many cats found stuck in washing machines and under car bonnets.
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Callian added only after five minutes, when she had wanted to put in more clothes, did she notice the cat’s faces turning around inside the dryer and panicked.
“I shudder to think what would’ve happened had I not come back to throw more clothes inside the dryer.”
The AWS said this was common among cats as they found unusual spots to lie in when seeking warmth.
It added:
You would be forgiven for thinking that this is an isolated incident but every winter we see a lot of similar cases.
Another pet owner, Jackson Sithole, said he was grateful his furry friend, Tom, of seven years managed to escape unharmed from his tumble dryer.
“These animals give me stress,” he added.
According to Sithole, his cat was spinning inside his tumble dryer for just under five minutes when he noticed him.
Luckily, he managed to escape with minor burns on his belly and ear.
“We are calling on pet owners to be constantly aware of the whereabouts of their pets, especially cats and kittens which are instinctively inquisitive, adorably mischievous, and love nothing more than to seek out a cosy place to rest – sometimes to their detriment,” Perrins stressed.
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