Horrific 'Outside Cat' Stories (Updated January 2026)

Some animal shelters manipulate their euthanasia statistics by instituting policies that leave animals to struggle for survival and die painfully on the streets. So-called “trap-neuter-release” (TNR) programs—or, more accurately, “trap-neuter-reabandon” programs—may allow limited-admission shelters to spin their intake and euthanasia numbers, but they do nothing to protect cats from the horrors that befall them when left outdoors to battle harsh surroundings, sickness, and sadistic people.

Countless cats who are left outdoors without protection die from infected wounds and injuries, as even small abscesses and common urinary tract infections can become raging and deadly for unsocialized cats who cannot be handled and treated. Cats outdoors are vulnerable to contagious diseases, parasite infestations, starvation, dehydration, freezing, heatstroke, attacks by dogs and other predators, and being hit by vehicles. Cruel people often poison, shoot, burn, drown, or otherwise torture and kill cats.

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Black and White Face Outdoor Injured Cat

Right or wrong, many property and business owners do not want cats on their property. Not everyone loves cats or wants them climbing on their cars, maiming or killing birds, or digging in their gardens. When animal shelters refuse to accept cats (as more and more so-called “no kill” facilities are doing), property owners often take matters into their own hands and resort to cruelty, both intentional and unintentional.

So many people become upset by roaming cats that legislation was introduced in Wisconsin and Utah to make it legal to stalk, hunt, and kill domestic cats! The bills failed, thanks to an outcry from animal activists and compassionate citizens, but that these bills were introduced at all should serve as a wake-up call for those who claim to care about cats—they are not safe outdoors.

Because of the many deadly hazards that cats face outdoors, responsible guardians allow their feline companions outdoors only when on a leash, in an enclosed area (such as a screened porch), or closely supervised.

Below is just a sampling of some of the horrible fates that have recently befallen stray, feral, and free-roaming cats. Countless others have died frightened and alone under porches or behind dumpsters, without anyone ever noticing what became of them.

Media Reports About Cats Outdoors Who Came to Harm in January 2026

Washington Court House, Ohio

WTOL.com reported that a snowplow driver had found a kitten stuck in a snowdrift after a winter storm. The animal was taken to an animal shelter, where it was found that he “was severely matted with several burs in his coat. He also had a large wound behind one of his ears,” according to a spokesperson. In addition, he was found to be suffering from a “cold” and “was very hungry.” He was receiving treatment and was expected to survive.

Essex, Maryland

WBALTV.com reported that a homeless cat had been “stuck at the top of a 100-foot sweetgum tree for more than 24 hours” during a severe winter storm that included “snow, sleet and freezing rain.” A tree service expert resorted to cutting a limb holding the cat, which sent the animal plunging to the ground. Other individuals on the ground caught him and described him as “covered in ice. His eyes were all crusted.” A leg had also reportedly been broken in two places, and he suffered from frostbite. He was apparently receiving veterinary treatment.

Johnston County, North Carolina

Justice.gov reported that a federal judge had sentenced a man “to 10 years in federal prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for Receipt of Child Pornography.” According to the report, “[S]tate charges for crimes against nature and cruelty to animals remain pending.” Those charges were filed after the suspect allegedly confessed to killing a cat who belonged to his family and “also confessed to killing stray cats and to engaging in sexual acts with these dead animals at the request of an online stranger.”

Grant County, Washington

DailyFly.com reported that a cat described as an “outdoor cat” had died after contracting “Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu.” According to the report, state officials said that the cat had apparently contracted the virus “through exposure to an infected wild bird.”

Marlin, Texas

KENS5.com reported that an apparently homeless cat who was evidently ill had been found outside a fire station during a winter storm. She was taken inside, where firefighters provided her with food and warmth. No additional information was available.

London, Ohio

10TV.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been shot in the head with an arrow. According to the report, “Police said the arrow is commonly used with a small handheld crossbow device.” The animal was reportedly taken to a veterinary hospital for treatment and was evidently expected to survive. Authorities were investigating, but no suspects were identified.

Des Moines, Iowa

WHO13.com reported that a homeless cat who had been found outdoors in freezing temperatures had been taken to an animal shelter for care. According to the report, “Officials say when she arrived, the cat’s temperature was so low it was not reading on the thermometer. Medics say the cat has hypothermia and frostbite.” She was receiving treatment.

Springfield, Missouri

KY3.com reported that a homeless cat had been seen in a field suffering from a ruptured eye. Responding to a social media post, good Samaritans worked for 10 days to capture the animal, whose eye had reportedly fallen out by the time he was secured. He was taken to an animal adoption group for needed veterinary care and was evidently expected to survive.

Fairview, Montana

WillistonHerald.com reported that authorities had charged a man with cruelty to animals after he allegedly shot two cats, killing one. According to the report, authorities found a badly injured cat and transported the animal to an animal adoption group for medical care. The cat was apparently expected to survive but “has balance issues caused by the shooting. Initial reports stated [that the animal] was shot five times at close range with what appears to be a pellet gun.” A second cat was found dead on the suspect’s property with wounds that appeared to be similar to those sustained by the injured cat. The investigation was ongoing.

Pulaski, Virginia

WSLS.com reported that a homeless cat who had died or been euthanized had tested positive for rabies. A resident and another homeless cat were exposed to the virus through contact with the cat. No additional information was available.

New York, New York

Bronx.News12.com reported that a cat who was allowed to roam outdoors without supervision had been fatally attacked by two dogs, who were also roaming unsupervised. The attack was captured on surveillance footage. Authorities were notified.

Osceola County, Florida

MyNews13.com reported that a sick and apparently homeless cat who had been euthanized had tested positive for rabies. No additional information was available.

New York, New York

NYPost.com reported that a man had been indicted on a cruelty-to-animals charge after he allegedly tortured a homeless cat to death the previous year. According to the report, the accused had “posted a photo of the dead cat, lying motionless in a pool of blood” on social media and “bragg[ed] about” the killing. The case was ongoing.

Russell County, Alabama

AlabamaPublicHealth.gov reported that a homeless cat who had scratched an individual had been euthanized and tested positive for rabies. No additional information was available.

San Jose, California

NBCBayArea.com reported that a homeless cat had been found injured after he’d apparently been shot with a crossbow. Responding to a social media post, a good Samaritan took the cat to a veterinary hospital, where a bolt she described as “about 6 inches long” and “extremely sharp” was removed from the base of his tail. She said the bolt had broken a vertebrae in the tail and that he was receiving treatment. When contacted by the outlet, authorities said they hadn’t received a report about the shooting. No suspects were identified.

Greenwood County, South Carolina

FOXCarolina.com reported that a homeless cat who had died or been euthanized had tested positive for rabies. Two humans who were exposed to the virus through contact with the cat were referred to their healthcare providers. No additional information was available.

Reno, Nevada

KOLOTV.com reported that in November, a homeless cat had become trapped in a tree during a storm. A professional arborist was able to rescue the animal, who was taken to a veterinary clinic, “where he received fluids and treatment but continued showing signs of illness. Tests revealed he has a liver shunt, a condition he was born with that prevents blood from passing through his liver properly, causing toxins to build up.” The clinic was trying to raise funds to provide the cat with specialized surgery.

Guilford County, North Carolina

ABC45.com reported that an apparently homeless cat who had died or been euthanized had tested positive for rabies. According to the report, “Officials say the case involves a feral cat and that additional cats in the area may have contracted the infectious disease.” A spokesperson for the county’s animal services department said, “In this case, the cat was from an area with a known colony of feral cats.” The cat had reportedly been “seen attacking humans in the area and also other cats within the colony” before he or she was contained. Efforts were being made to capture and evaluate other cats in the area.

Bermuda Dunes, California

NBCPalmSprings.com reported that a homeless cat had been found “showing visible difficulty opening her mouth and eating.” Authorities were called and transported the cat to an animal shelter, where veterinary staff reportedly determined that she “appeared to have been struck multiple times by a BB gun projectile, with injuries to her face and throat that ultimately led to her death.” Authorities were investigating, but no suspects were identified.

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Media Reports About Cats Outdoors Who Came to Harm in January 2026