In early August, my girlfriend and I left the Collicutt Centre after our morning swim to encounter a young cat laying on 30th Avenue at the north entrance to the Collicutt Centre. It appeared that someone had hit the cat and left it for dead on the street. As we drove out of the parking lot, we noticed the cat was still alive. For the cat to avoid further misery and pain we attempted to get it off the road and out of the way of the morning traffic.
At the same time a City of Red Deer Parks Department truck drove by with two young summer students inside. We managed to flag them down and asked if they would contact Animal Services or a veterinary clinic in hopes the cat could be removed from the road in a humane manner. These two young City employees, in addition to calling the proper authorities, also placed a small barricade up to direct motorists to one lane allowing us to comfort the cat while awaiting help.
After it was loaded in their truck, they transported the cat to Animal Control Emergency Services on the north end of Red Deer for the attention it required. The name of the two city employees were Kristy Wilson and Nathan Perninsky.
In checking with Animal Services later that morning, we were informed that the cat had severe head injuries and the decision was made by the owner and the vet to put the cat down.
My point in this is threefold. Firstly, my girlfriend and I would like to commend both Kristy and Nathan for the compassion and care they displayed. These days many of us are eager to criticize young people for their lack of concern and care in general. This was definitely not the case, as these two young people exhibited tremendous concern and willingness to ensure the cat was treated in a humane manner.
Secondly, shame on the person who hit the cat and drove off! I know it’s just a cat, but it’s still a living creature. If you have no regard for a cat who will you hit next?
Thirdly, to the owner of the cat, this young cat was very spirited animal and what a shame it wasn’t at home and all of this could have been avoided. All of us at the scene were amazed at how much spirit this young cat exhibited. How sad!
So thanks again to Kristy and Nathan for assisting with a situation which could have been far worse than it was.
Jean Bota
Red Deer County