ANIMALS

Family Of 7 Cats Rescued In Time From Trash Bin Before Tragedy Occurs

Writing about animals, especially animal rescues, can sometimes feel like experiencing the same thing all over again, bringing a mix of emotions. It’s like being on a roller-coaster ride. I’ve just finished publishing an article about 11 unfortunate cats who were cruelly trapped in boxes without any way to breathe, left to face a tragic fate. And then, as if it were a twist of fate, I come across news of a cat family being rescued in Iowa after being heartlessly thrown into a trash bin.

Image source: screenshot

Both cases share numerous heartbreaking similarities, despite being separated by a distance of 4,300 miles.

Our objective is to showcase the daily rescues of cats carried out by incredible individuals who deserve recognition for their efforts. While our ultimate hope is for no cats to be in need of saving, I prefer not to solely dwell on the problem. I want to emphasize that there are safe havens where these animals are embraced rather than abandoned. For those who find themselves facing such heart-wrenching decisions, there are people available to provide assistance!

Image source: screenshot

Council Bluff is located near the border of Iowa and Nebraska, just east of Omaha. During the winter season, the weather can be harsh, with temperatures barely reaching the 20s across the region. Snow accumulates into large mounds, and people bundle up in warm clothing to withstand the cold. It’s a much more comfortable scenario than being stuck in an old cardboard box, resembling an air fryer, lined with a dirty, greasy blanket, don’t you agree?

Image source: screenshot

A mother cat and her six kittens were left with nothing but a cardboard box to provide warmth as they found themselves trapped inside a trash dumpster.

On Wednesday, January 23rd, the Midlands Humane Society received a distress call. A resident from the nearby Chapel Ridge Apartments made a shocking discovery at the bottom of their building’s garbage bin—a box containing the helpless feline family. The resident was taken aback when they heard the faint meows coming from inside.

Image source: Chapel Ridge Apartments in Council Bluff, Iowa

Animal Control Officer DeAnn Nelson understood the immense danger that awaited the furry family, prompting her to quickly respond to the scene. However, her heart sank as she witnessed their heartbreaking situation.

The cats had been confined within the box, which was callously tossed into the unforgiving metal enclosure. DeAnn noticed that the box bore chew marks, indicating that they had likely been trapped for a significant period. Sadly, there were no hints or details on the box that could help identify the person responsible for this cruel act.

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The cats appeared to be well-maintained, calm, and in good overall health. Nelson suspected that they were indoor cats who had been heartlessly abandoned and thrown away.

During the examination, it was discovered that the mother cat did not have a microchip that could help identify her previous owner. She is estimated to be between 1 and 2 years old. As for her kittens, they are around 4 to 5 weeks old and consist of 3 females and 3 males.

Image source: screenshot

In an interview with Ketv, she discussed the potential escalation of this already troubling situation.

“When those trucks come in, it’s a compactor truck. So, they take the dumpster and dump them and everything gets compacted into the garbage truck. So, the end would not be good had someone not found them,” Nelson said.

Image source: screenshot

In addition to sharing the heartwarming rescue story, the shelter has an additional motive for spreading the word. Since there are no leads or clues, Nelson made a heartfelt plea to the local residents.

“We just hope that somebody in the public comes forward and says, ‘I know this person,” and maybe we can get this person help,” Nelson said.

“We want this out there so that people understand that you don’t have to do this. There are places to take them, you don’t have to dump them. We will take care of them,” she said.

Image source: screenshot

Unfortunately, it seems that the existing laws against animal cruelty in Iowa are not effectively preventing such incidents from occurring. If someone is found guilty, they would face a misdemeanor charge and a maximum fine of approximately $700. Frankly, this punishment doesn’t seem proportionate to the severity of the crime, in my opinion. It’s far easier to abandon animals anonymously or, better yet, in a safe place where they won’t endure suffering and death.

Image source: screenshot

Fortunately, this litter managed to avoid such a tragic fate. In a few weeks, when they have grown enough to undergo the necessary procedures, they will be available for adoption.

“One’s persons trash is another person’s treasure.”

Image source: screenshot

ANIMALS

Amazing Video of Unseen Ocean Creatures in the Ningaloo Canyons

The Schmidt Ocean Institute recently explored the Ningaloo Canyons on the western coast of Australia using a robotic underwater vehicle called the ROV Sebastian. Check out the amazing video of what they discovered in the deep parts of the Indian Ocean.

More info: Youtube

ANIMALS

These Pics Are Art and the Artists Are Insects

Flying insects move so quickly that they are hard to follow, but new technology and some smart ideas have helped Spanish photographer Xavi Bou do just that. After spending 10 years focusing on birds in flight for his Ornithographies project, he turned his attention to insects.

For Entomographies, he uses high-speed video footage taken by Adrian Smith, an insect expert at North Carolina State University, to study and record how insects move. Bou then picks multiple frames and combines them into single images that show the fast movements of one or more insects through space and time.

With Smith’s help, Bou has captured the aerial tricks of wasps, the jumps of leafhoppers, and the fluttering of butterflies in amazing detail. He hopes that by doing this, he can make people more aware of the decline in important insect populations around the world.

1. Zebra longwing

This butterfly, which is common in many areas of the Americas, really fits its name. It can fly very high with just a few flaps of its large wings.