A cat was spotted being dumped from a car by the side of a road and “wouldn’t stop crying” after he was abandoned. A hiker walking nearby saw the situation unfold and was keen to try and help but the traumatised animal was, initially, wary of letting anyone come near him while he continued to let out panicked mews.
The hiker, named Jess, approached the cat and began talking to him to try and get him to come to her but the cat continued to evade her while meowing loudly in distress. Jess captured the situation on camera.
Narrating the clip, Jess said: “This lady, I think, just dumped her cat. That lady just threw a cat out.” She managed to catch the tail end of the woman driving away after leaving the cat on the side of a dusty road on film.
Later, as she approached the panicked, stressed animal, Jess added: “I don’t know why this woman just dumped this cat out here.”
In a bid to get help, she decided to call a park ranger who was able to assist in getting “the cat’s trust”.
They were able to safely scoop him into a box but he still “wouldn’t stop crying”. After he was rescued from the bushes at the side of the road, he was taken to the vets to be safely checked over and assessed.
One month later, Jess went to visit the cat – now named Joey – to check up on him now he was ready to be adopted.
Jess wasn’t able to adopt Joey but did make sure to visit him regularly while he waited for his new family.
She filmed her visit, where she could be seen scratching Joey’s chin and telling him he’s “so sweet”. She said: “Look at how cute he is. Hi, buddy, it’s so good to see you.”
Shortly after Jess’s last visit, Joey found his forever home. His story was shared on Facebook.
In the comments section, people shared their thoughts. One person said: “People think that animals can survive in the wild. That’s not true as they are domesticated animals.
“If you can’t keep an animal, you need to do your best to re-home that animal before you just dump it.”
Another shared: “I have rescued so many dumped cats. They are usually frightened and hungry and don’t know how to survive or hunt. As a result I have seven.
“And 2 litter robots to keep up with it. I love every single one of them and would never give them up no matter what.”
A third commented: “Run the plate, find the previous owner, give her a hefty fine and forbid her from owning animals ever again.
“There are so many other options than dumping an animal. So glad this sweet furball was rescued!!!”
Someone else said: “Took literally 5 seconds for him to be saved… it was fate.”
To which, Jess replied: “It really was fate! I am so glad I was there! I actually called in sick that day just so I can go hiking to clear my mind. I had no idea I would encounter this and film it! I’m so glad Joey found a forever home! What a moment!”