SACRAMENTO – As the climate will get colder, stray cats and kittens are searching for a heat place to cuddle up. During harsh climate, this typically means in search of shelter in an unsuspecting driver’s automotive.
Veterinarian Liz Stelow just lately had a neighbor with a detailed name. While driving to the grocery store, he unknowingly took a tiny hitchhiker alongside for the experience.
“Someone had heard this automotive meowing,” Stelow mentioned. “They opened the hood and there was a kitten.”
Dr. Stelow is the Chief of Behavior Service at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. She says it is common through the wintertime for these felines to hunt shelter in vehicles left in driveways, neighborhood streets and parking garages.
These cats typically burrow beneath the automotive, underneath the hood or within the wheel wells.
Dr. Stelow says banging in your automotive or on the hood a couple of minutes earlier than beginning it up may also help scare these cats away.
“In this climate, the temptation in fact is to get your automotive began as shortly as potential after which load all of the issues you have to take along with your within the automotive. Do that in reverse order, make plenty of noise round your automotive,” Dr. Stelow mentioned.
If you hear a meow, endurance is vital.
“If you might have the time, one of the best factor to do is depart one thing fascinating and depart. Leave a can of cat meals or depart rooster in order that the animal has a purpose to return out and you are not scary,” Dr. Stelow mentioned.
If you have to seize the cat, make certain to put on gloves or use a blanket to guard your self.
“A scared animal can change into an aggressive animal in a short time,” Dr. Stelow mentioned.
Those seeking to go the additional mile may also add provides to a automotive emergency package. This can embrace objects akin to leather-based gloves and a collapsed field that may be put collectively shortly. This manner, for those who discover an animal in disaster you’ll be able to spring to motion.
