How many YEARS has this cat gone without grooming?

[jenluckenbach]

As you know, I work as a pet groomer. Today, just when I thought I had seen them as bad as they come, in comes a man with a 17 year old cat.............matted worse than I have ever seen. No, I do not take my camera to work, but I did bring home 2 of the worst mats to photograph and show you.
The mats actually stood at least 3 inches straight up away from the body. All down his back hung the largest. The rest of him, belly, chest, and even the legs, was a swarm of small to medium mats with little space between them.
AND to make it worse, the elderly cat was nothing more than skin over bones.
Was he hoping the cat would DIE beofre he needed to bring him to the groomer??

here are the 2 mats sitting on my computer monitor. The direction they are sitting is how they were sitting on the cat's back.






and here they are sitting on Amber's back for size comparison. (they are laying ACROSS Amber, but they were running DOWN along my client's spine)



How sad (and infuriating) is that?!?

[Mad Mags Moo]

OMG! Jen......that is awful...did the owner not feel embarassed about this and what about the poor cat.....how on earth did you groom the poor bugger...was it hard to do?

[jenluckenbach]

was it hard to do?

It was very difficult, and tedious. Cat's skin can cut SUPER easy. Thin cats are harder because their skin tends to fold. And matted cats are harder still because the matted hair pulls the skin up away from the body. So just imagine! I actually needed to use a surgical blade (the shortest one available) to be able to remove some of the mats without causing damage.

The cat was so good. he tried to behave himself. I simply can't get over it!

[catmandu]

maybe,the Fellow found the Cat,and the Poor Cat,was like that.I would hate,to think,of someone,that would allow a Cat,to get,in that horrible condition.At leasdt,I bet that is one Cat,that feels a whole lot better,now,than when he came,into you,for help.

[Randi]

Oh Jen, that is SO sad! How could this person leave it that long! Did you ask?

I'm glad this cat ended up with YOU grooming.

[jenluckenbach]

How could this person leave it that long! Did you ask?

On No. I never ask. People just get defensive and pick up and leave. And how would that help the pet? I just said. "Oh my!" and went on to explain what I would have to do. There are a few people I would like to turn over to the humane society, but..... That is not my place. After all, they are here trying to remedy the situation. It is hard sometimes, holding one's tongue.

[Craftlady]

Oh my, maybe with this new client you could offer him a discounted rate to bring the kitty in more often? Thankfully, he finally brought this kitty in to you.

[MULTICATMOM]

POOR KITTY THAT HAD TO HURT...& HE WAS STILL A GOOD BOY

[catnapper]

How sad. Perhaps it was not his cat, but one he rescued from a friend himself? At least I'd like to hope and think thats what happened. Poor cat. I'd like to see how he'd feel to have years and years of untamed hair knotting all over the place

[jenluckenbach]

People can easily tell you anything. It may not have been his cat, I did not ask, but SOMEONE let it get that way!

[Kirsten]

Poor kitty! How sad!

I'm afraid this fellow doesn't live a happy life...

Kirsten

[rg_girlca]

Oh Jen, that is horrible. How very sad.

I bet that precious kitty felt a lot better once you were finished with him.

[momcat]

Oh wow! That poor cat must have been in absolute agony until finding you! How is kitty? Did she go back to who brought her in? Kitty was so lucky to receive your loving care! If you see kitty again or hear some news as to her health and care, please let us know?

[PayItForward]

Jen,

I understand that you don't want to upset this guy but having groomed his cat, I would ring amd ask your local rscpa to look into the cat situation, I'm sure you can report a worrying situation without revealing your name.

If it turns out the cat was a rescue cat no damage done but if the owner can not cope (a more likely scenerio) then they will rehome the cat to a better home.

If I had to take such a badly matted cat to the vets, I would be very sure to explain why the cat was in such a state !!!

[jenluckenbach]

Originally posted by PayItForward
Jen,

I understand that you don't want to upset this guy but having groomed his cat, I would ring amd ask your local rscpa to look into the cat situation, I'm sure you can report a worrying situation without revealing your name.

If it turns out the cat was a rescue cat no damage done but if the owner can not cope (a more likely scenerio) then they will rehome the cat to a better home.

If I had to take such a badly matted cat to the vets, I would be very sure to explain why the cat was in such a state !!!

I know in my heart that you are correct. But we at the grooming shop discussed this possibility. and in this case, with a cat of 17 years of age, it would more than likely simply be put to sleep. I am not sure I could live knowing that.