A Good Samaritan saved a cat’s life after finding her nearly frozen to death on a sidewalk. Stacey Nebinski, who lives in McKeesport, Pittsburgh, was outside in sub-freezing temperatures a few days ago when she spotted the distressed tuxedo cat. She noticed the cat’s rear legs were swollen, and the animal meowed softly as she approached.
Realizing the cat needed immediate medical attention and a warm place to stay, Stacey posted a message to the Lost & Found Pets McKeesport Area Facebook group, pleading for help. She wrote: “This cat was on my neighbor’s porch. I have it wrapped in a towel on my porch. I need help—can someone tell me where to take this cat? It’s way too cold out here, and I can’t take it in my house.”
cat rescued from freezing cold
Stacey also shared a short video of the cat, which caught the attention of animal rescuer Trish Cole. Trish immediately responded to the post and came to pick up the cat. With the help of Pet Friends of Irwin, the cat was rushed to Barnes Lake Veterinary Center.
According to Stacey, the cat’s body temperature didn’t even register on a thermometer for several hours. Vets told her that if the cat had been outside for another 30 to 60 minutes, she would not have survived.
Thankfully, the cat began to show signs of recovery. “After 4 hours of work at the Barnes Lake Veterinary Center yesterday, this sweet girl is starting to feel a bit better (and demanding food),” Pet Friends of Irwin wrote on Facebook. “The entire staff of Barnes Lake jumped into action and didn’t hesitate to get to work.”
They named the cat “Birthday” because it was Trish Cole’s birthday when she rescued the cat. Birthday is underweight and vets are still concerned about her one leg which is badly wounded and may have gotten frostbitten. But she is eating and meowing and “making biscuits.”
Birthday the cat rescued
Pet Friends noted that “This little one is not out of the woods, but she is snuggled warm with Carly Rae.” Vets are unsure about Birthday’s one leg as it was badly wounded and may have gotten frostbitten.
But Pet Friends of Irwin noted, “We are doing everything that we can to make sure she fully recovers and never spends another day in the cold.”
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