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By Alice Gibbs
Senior Reporter
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A humane society in Pennsylvania has launched an investigation after a neglected cat was found in a dumpster near a local dollar store.
The male cat, estimated to be between 2 and 3 years old, was found by a good Samaritan who brought him to The Beaver County Humane Society (BCHS) in Aliquippa.
"We determined that while the cat doesn't seem to have any obvious outward injuries, he was suffering greatly from neglect," Wendi Stafford, a humane society police officer at BCHS, said in a Facebook post on the human society's page on Wednesday.
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The tabby cat was discovered in a dilapidated cat carrier that was too small for his size, with two empty food and water bowls found nearby, indicating a prolonged period of abandonment. The feline was also covered in his own feces and urine. The BCHS said it's medically evaluating the cat and providing it with treatment to address the neglect.
Despite undergoing serious trauma, the team is determined to prepare the cat for eventual adoption where he can live the life he deserves.
Newsweek reached out to Beaver County Humane Society via email for further comment.
In the United States, pet abandonment is considered animal cruelty and is against the law in all 50 states. Pet abandonment can lead to legal consequences, including fines and imprisonment, for those who commit the act.
Every year, an estimated 6.5 million dogs, cats, and other former pets are abandoned or lost and enter shelters in the U.S. This represents an average of 17,260 a day, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
The number of dogs and cats taken in by pet shelters hit 46,807 during January 2023, an increase of 1,744 compared with January 2022, the 24Pet 'Shelter Watch Report' found. Around 920,000 surrendered animals are euthanized every year. Shelters are striving to minimize euthanasia rates by promoting adoption campaigns, spaying and neutering programs, and behavior rehabilitation.
On the BCHS's Facebook page, hundreds of people shared their reaction to the cat's abandonment in the comments section.
"Omg this poor, sweet boy," Stacey wrote, while Autumn commented that she was "disgusted by humans."
"This hurts my heart," Jessica added. "Someone give this kitty all the love please."
Elsa posted: "I want to come give him a hug and give him lots of love. How disgusting of someone to do that to him."
The shelter has urged anyone who has information about the cat or who may have dumped him to contact their Humane Investigations department at 724-775-5801 ext. 123.
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