A kitten is fighting to survive after kids threw bricks at her and then set her on fire in West Baltimore.

The 8-month-old cat, named Gabrielle at BARCS where she’s being treated this morning, was deliberately set on fire and burned in the Garrison Avenue neighborhood, the shelters executive directer Jennifer Mead-Brause says.

Despite serious burns on her side and back, she’s hanging in there, walking around and even purring, Mead-Brause told Unleashed this morning.

“She’s doing OK,” she said. “I feel good about her. She’s going to take a long time to recover and like with Phoenix, she’s got to be able to fight off the infection.”

Phoenix, a pit bull puppy, was doused with gasoline and set on fire in Southwest Baltimore in May. She had to be euthanized a few days later after her kidneys began to fail due to her injuries.

[UPDATE 11:08 a.m. The Snyder Foundation is offering a reward of $1,000 for anyone that comes forward with information leading to the conviction of the individuals responsible for this crime.]
In the case of Gabrielle, a tiny black and white cat, Animal Control received a call from a citizen concerning a cat that had been set on fire. The citizen stated that she saw several kids throw rocks and bricks at the cat and then pour a liquid on it. She turned away and when she turned back, the cat was burning. The cat was able to roll and put the flames out, but the kids caught it and set it on fire a second time.

That was about a week ago. Animal Control was finally able to find the cat and get her treated yesterday.

Local animal rescue group Recyled Love will be taking over Gabrielle’s treatment and care, probably starting today. She’s being treated with pain medication and antibiotics.

Police will be investigating the case, BARCS says. Mead-Brause wasn’t sure if this case is related to cat burnings earlier this summer in Northwest Baltimore.

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What are the most common mistakes that pet owners make with their pets? 

Here are five mistakes many pet owners make, which I can think of:

1. Did not bring their pets for yearly examination. Yearly exams are important and can find health problems early when many are more treatable.
2. Cost-conscious on nutrition. A good quality and nutrition food for your cat is important. By skimping on nutrition matters can be a problem. Cats need a high quality diet that is formulated to meet their life-stage needs. Kitten should be on kitten diet, adult should be on adult diet, while senior cat should be on senior diet.
3. Many pet owners do not put consideration and pay enough attention to toxins and medications that cats can get into. Maybe it comes down to cat-proofing your home to ensure your cat can’t get into common toxins such as rat poison, antifreeze, medications (cat and human) or the trash. Cats are especially fond of thread and other liner objects such as yarn and ribbon. Keep those items picked-up and out of the reach of your cat.
4. Don’t monitor their cats. It is important to monitor cats on a daily basis. Cats are so good at hiding their illnesses that often by the time we notice – the disease may be quite advanced. For this reason – it is important to look for early signs of problems.  Monitor your cat’s urination, defections, attitude and appetite every day. Don’t make the mistake of keeping dry food available at all times.  You won’t be able to tell if your cat is eating – offer a little canned food twice a day to ensure he is eager to eat.
5. Don’t keep a current ID tag or microchip on their cat. Many cats don’t have a current ID tag or microchip. Dog owners do a way better job at keeping their dog identified. However, even indoor cats occasionally get out. This is the most vulnerable of cats. An ID tag or microchip is the BEST way a lost cat can be returned to you. At the clinics – we often see pets brought in without a tag or microchip that end up at Rabies Control or the Humane Society. Without identification, many of these pets are never reunited with their owners.

Whatever you do, keep your cat safe. Ensure he has a good collar with an ID tag. Also, feed them a good quality cat food, check that he is eating well and keep your home “cat-proof”.

What do good cat owners do that make them good owners and help give them good healthy cats? 

Here are a few things that come to mind:

1. Play with their cats. Nearly all cats love to run and play. It is a natural release and helps keep them physically healthy and emotionally happy. Make sure your cat has lots of fine fun toys that he likes and work to keep him in play. Point the laser pointer on the wall or ceiling, swing that feather, or roll a ball. Do this for at least 10 to 20 minutes a day.
2. Make sure that your cat has yearly check-ups to help look for any medical problems early is a very good habit. Your veterinarian will also find out if your cat requires any flea control, vaccines, or heartworm preventative medications. These will help to keep your cat healthy and happy.
3. Good daily care. Daily monitoring of your cats appetite, urinations, bowel movements are a part of being a good responsible cat owner. Healthy cats have a good appetite, normal urinations and healthy bowel movements. Any abnormalities should be noted and any persistent changes should be reported to your veterinarian.
4. Feed a good quality food. Good nutrition is a very important part of a cat’s health and is the most proactive thing you can do to keep your cat healthy. Over the past two decades,  a lot of science has gone into formulating cat foods to optimize a cat’s health.  Take advantage of that knowledge by feeding a premium cat food.
5. Daily grooming. Monitoring your cats nails and trimming when needed, brushing his teeth at least every other day and daily hair brushing are important to prevent unnecessary problems such as dental disease, torn nails, and uncomfortable hairballs.

Make sure, everything start at early age of your cat

Knowing the most common reasons cats got the vet is important in developing a preventative health plan for your cat.

Most Common Cat Claims/Conditions

1. Urinary Tract Infections
2. Gastritis/Vomiting
3. Chronic Renal Failure
4. Enteritis/Diarrhea
5. Diabetes Mellitus
6. Skin Allergies
7. Colitis/Constipation
8. Ear Infections
9. Respiratory Infections
10. Hyperthyroidism

An interesting change in the top 10 lists was that feline enteritis (diarrhea). Diarrhea can be caused by stress, diet changes, intestinal obstruction, parasites or infections. The most common reason is dietary changes. Renal failure and the other conditions in the top 10 list above can be very costly (especially if they are chronic like Diabetes). All of the conditions on this list are potentially serious and they can all be expensive. Always look after for early sign, before it gets worst. Make sure you kids do frequent visit to the vet and always check the health history.

A CHILD broke down in tears yesterday when she described to a court how a woman killed a kitten by “whacking” it against a fence.

Helen Hare (62), of Pinjarra, was fined $2000 yesterday after being found guilty of the ill treatment of an animal contrary to the Animal Welfare Act when she appeared in Mandurah Magistrate’s Court.

A 12-year-old boy and his 14-year-old sister described how on March 4 they saw Hare, who is their neighbour, pick up their Persian cat and a four-month-old tabby by the tail.

The cats were scratching, hissing and screeching and Hare swung the cats alternatively into a fence.

The 14-year-old broke down in tears as she testified and described how she had heard thuds as the cats hit the fence.

The boy said the adult cat ran away, but the kitten’s neck was snapped, it was twitching and then died.

A police officer read to the court an interview with Hare shortly after the incident in which she told officers the cats kept defecating in her yard.

She said she had warned the family about the cats and did not care if one died.

When police asked Hare if it was her intention to kill the cat, the police report stated Hare said: “Yes, I’ve had a gutful”.

But Hare said police put words in her mouth and denied she admitted to “whacking” the cat.

Hare said she picked up one cat by the tail, threw it over the fence and it ran away.

Hare described ongoing conflict with her neighbours and claimed threats had been made to “torch” her dog.

Magistrate Terence McIntyre said the background of animosity between the neighbours explained why Hare killed the kitten, but it did not excuse it or justify it.

Outside the court, Kylie Brewer said the death of their kitten Candycane had deeply distressed her children.

Another mother said her children, aged four and two, had nightmares after seeing the incident.

Mrs Brewer said her Persian cat now had a permanent limp and it would not allow anyone to touch its tail.

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