01/26/2026
A Good Samaritan
In a neighboring town reached out to Pura Vida before the storm. They were in need of advice on how to help an injured cat found on the side of the road. Animal Control was contacted, responded, but when they went to get the cat it hobbled away dragging its back leg leaving a trail of blood in the snow. The cat ran onto a front porch and into a cat box where animal control blocked the cat door so the cat could not escape. Animal Control told the good samaritan since the cat ran to the porch and in the cat house it probably lives there and they wouldn’t take the cat and left the area. The GS made several attempts to reach the resident where the cat was by knocking on doors and talking to neighbors. Contact was made with the homeowner by phone who was away for the day. The resident stated it was not her cat. Recently her neighbor passed away and they always had outdoor cats. She did provide a shelter for one of the cats that had taken up residency at her home at one time, however, it was not this cat. This resident called animal control to advise the injured cat was not hers and would like AC to get the cat. AC declined and told the resident if they responded and took the cat, regardless of its injuries, they could be charged with “cat napping.” It had shelter therefore they would not come back for the injured cat. The animal control officer said the resident would need to take the cat herself for care despite being away.
Once the cat was at Pura Vida it was determined the cat had severe bite wounds and a compound fracture in 2 places on the back leg. It was an unaltered male, mature adult, no microchip. Due to the severity of his injuries he was humanely euthanized. We are grateful to have received the call in being able to assist those involved and more importantly help this cat. How sad to know this cat was in desperate need of help and was failed by the very people who are supposed to respond. Not to mention the residents of the town who were told to handle the situation on their own. With bite wounds of unknown origin and no proof of vaccination there is always the risk of rabies. A public safety concern for all. Thank goodness for those involved who took the time to help this cat. His life mattered, we named him Flynn.
