25/06/2026
Today I finally managed to catch a cat I've been concerned about and get it to the vets.
This cat has an owner.
For the last 3 days, it had been out during the heatwave, with kind members of the public leaving water out for it. Despite that, the vet found it to be extremely dehydrated and starving. It was also very skinny, and its fur was greasy and in poor condition.
Seeing an animal in this state is heartbreaking.
I understand that cats roam, and nobody knows exactly what has happened here, but what I do know is that a cat should not be ending up severely dehydrated, underweight, and in such poor condition during a period of extreme heat.
The reason I'm sharing this is because I've been seeing far too many cats struggling in hot weather lately, and it needs to be taken seriously. If you own a pet, their welfare is your responsibility.
During hot weather, that means making sure they have constant access to fresh water, a safe place to cool down, and that they're being monitored for signs of dehydration. Hot weather can become dangerous very quickly.
Too often people assume cats will just look after themselves because they're independent animals. They won't. Cats can suffer from dehydration, heat exhaustion, and other serious health issues just like any other pet.
Thankfully it's now getting the care it needs, but this situation is a reminder of how dangerous hot weather can be for cats and other animals.
Please, if you have pets:
🐾 Make sure they always have access to fresh, clean water.
🐾 Provide shaded, cool places where they can escape the heat.
🐾 Keep them indoors during the hottest parts of the day if possible.
🐾 Check on vulnerable, elderly, sick, or stray animals in your area.
🐾 Never assume an animal is "fine" just because it's outside.
If you notice a cat or other animal looking distressed, excessively lethargic, unusually thin, or struggling in the heat, please don't ignore it. A simple welfare check, providing water, or contacting a rescue or vet could save a life.
Let's do better for the animals that depend on us. ❤️
