When they saw this helpless animal in the street, they knew something was terribly wrong. What happened next broke hearts. See the comments for the photos.
When rescuers came across Hidey wandering alone, they immediately realized she was in serious distress. While many think of cats as low-maintenance pets, some breeds require regular grooming—and Hidey had gone without it for years.
Her fur was so severely matted that at first glance, rescuers weren’t even sure what kind of animal she was.
Paul Russell, the Good Samaritan who found her, recalled in shock, “Oh my god, this is a cat!” Fourteen-year-old Hidey was soon brought to the Animal Rescue League Shelter & Wildlife Center by a compassionate couple.
It was later revealed that Hidey’s elderly owner, who suffered from Alzheimer’s, was no longer able to care for her. As a result, the poor cat had been left without grooming or attention for a long time.
Hidey’s story has since become a powerful reminder of how important it is to check in on aging individuals—and their pets—who may silently be suffering too.