When you think about abuse, you most likely think about physical violence. Abuse, on the other hand, can take many forms, and not all of them show obvious physical signs. To spot them, you need to make sure you understand the signs and know the different types of abuse that can occur.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Identifying the Signs of Abuse
Step 1. Pay attention to the most obvious signs
Every cat has the right to find shelter from wind, rain and cold, have enough food and water available and adequate sanitation. If these basic principles are not met, one can speak of maltreatment. Maltreatment can be identified in the following ways:
- A cat that is too thin may not have enough food available.
- A dehydrated cat may not have enough water or space to rest.
- An overly aggressive or unsociable cat may have been separated from its mother prematurely.
- A cat locked in a confined space, unable to move.
- A cat deprived of company, forced to live in an area where there is constantly loud music.
- A cat who cannot use adequate sanitation, or who cannot go outside when the owner is not at home.
Step 2. Identify a person with too many cats
Those who live with a disproportionate number of cats commit an involuntary abuse, as they let their animals live in an overcrowded place, in precarious hygienic conditions.
- Overcrowding stresses cats, forcing them to live in insufficient space for their needs.
- This can lead to prevarication and unbridled competition for resources, even when there is enough food for everyone. Some cats will tend to dominate others, keeping food in check.
- Shy cats will be intimidated and will not have the courage to approach food.
- Those who own too many cats usually live in a dirty space, which does not allow cats to sleep, eat and use their toilets normally.
- Those who have a disproportionate number of cats are usually unwilling to receive visitors.
- Usually these people buy large quantities of cat food, their house smells bad, and looking around their apartment you can often notice how cats cover every available horizontal surface.
Step 3. Identify an untreated coat and diseased legs
Cat fur may be excessively matted, or infested with parasites.
- In this case, the cat may scratch excessively, even getting hurt. It may have charcoal-colored flea spots on its fur.
- Wipe the stain with a cotton rag: you will notice some reddish halos due to blood.
- A tick-infested cat may have a lot of greyish "blisters". These bubbles are, in fact, ticks.
- The cat may have overgrown, bleeding, or pus-filled nails.
- The cat may shed hair, have sores or skin irritations.
Step 4. Watch out for untreated wounds that can be targeted by flies
An untreated wound can be used by flies to lay eggs, which will hatch giving way to worms.
- The worms feed on the infected skin, resulting in a nauseating odor.
- By examining the wound, you will notice yellowish worms in the surrounding area.
- Depending on how well they managed to feed themselves, they could be as thin as a hair or very thick.
- There is no excuse to justify such an injury in a house cat. A responsible owner should look after their cat regularly, noticing any unpleasant odors right away.
Step 5. Beware of neighborhood cats who often get pregnant
Letting your cat have too many pregnancies can also be considered maltreatment, as any pregnancy could weaken the cat's body.
Even worse if the puppies mysteriously disappear, or end up populating the neighborhood with strays
Step 6. Watch out for cats that are too thin, almost skeletal
Healthy cats should be chubby at the very least.
- If, while stroking a cat, you feel its vertebrae under your fingers and even manage to count them, most likely the cat is underweight.
- A domestic cat should never be skeletal.
Step 7. Be on the lookout for suspicious injuries that could be caused by willful mistreatment
Look around for cats that are limping or have regular injuries.
- A cat that regularly presents wounds, cuts or fractures, even going so far as to limp, could be the victim of abuse.
- If you happen to witness physical abuse, write down the date and the dynamics of the incident and then contact the police.
Step 8. Pay attention to singular behaviors
Most of the animals that are victims of abuse have peculiar behaviors.
- Usually, cats are frightened and constantly looking for an escape route.
- Some cats become highly aggressive, going so far as to attack at the slightest movement. For them, offense is the best defense.
Step 9. Stop the mistreatment by contacting the authorities
Never confront the culprit, but report him to the competent authorities.
- These include law enforcement, animal welfare organizations and area shelters.
- These organizations will guide you step by step.
- It is advisable to be as precise as possible when making a report.
- Collect as much information as possible: date and time of the abuse, photos and videos of the incident.
Part 2 of 2: Understanding the mistreatment
Step 1. Be aware that some diseases could be mistaken for mistreatment
It is common to confuse an animal that is sick, but receiving adequate veterinary care, with an animal that is the victim of mistreatment.
- For example, a very thin animal might be under specific care, instead of simply being in need of food.
- Think before you judge.
Step 2. Pay attention to how the animal behaves in the presence of the owner
The behavior that the animal assumes in the presence of the owner is a good indicator of their relationship.
- If the cat runs to meet its owner, rubs its legs and purrs, that's a good sign.
- On the other hand, if the cat is hiding or appears afraid, it is likely that it has been mistreated.
- However, even this aspect is not the only one to take into consideration, as some cats do not like to be picked up, even by the most attentive of owners. The cat could also be subjected to specific treatments.
Step 3. Try talking to the owner, keeping yourself vague
To determine if there is a possible explanation for the animal's behavior, it might be useful to ask the owner politely.
- Ask the owner if the cat is okay and pay attention to his response.
- Try to keep your tone calm.
- If the owner tells you that the cat is being treated by a vet, try asking him for his name.
- The owner's answers will give you an idea of his relationship with the animal.
- If you are dissatisfied with their responses, do not address the owner directly, rather think about contacting the proper authorities.
Step 4. Understand what constitutes involuntary mistreatment
Involuntary maltreatment is exactly what it sounds like, mistreatment that takes the form of inadequate care, but with no bad intentions.
- Sadly, even those who consider themselves animal lovers can be the perpetrators of similar mistreatment.
- This type of mistreatment often takes the form of failure to fulfill the animal's main needs, for example not providing it with enough food or clean water, or a place to rest and protect itself from the elements.
- Inadvertent mistreatment is common when you have too many animals, such as not providing them with enough food.
Step 5. Be aware of willful mistreatment
Voluntary maltreatment occurs when the owner is aware of their pet's suffering but does nothing to help.
- While this type of abuse is obvious in most cases, it may be difficult to identify in others.
- Not taking your sick or parasite-infested cat to the vet is considered voluntary maltreatment.
- Same thing when the owner loses his temper, picking on the animal.
Step 6. Understand that some owners cruelly abuse their pet
Cruelty means knowingly making your pet suffer.
- The same applies to owners who strike, kick and torture their cat.
- Some of them abuse their pet in search of a perverse sense of control or power towards others, or simply for fun.
