Zack is living proof that maybe cats do have nine lives.
Pierina, Zack’s mum, realised something was wrong when her eight-floor apartment balcony door was accidently left open.
Her heart dropped when she saw one of her cats, Nube, sitting outside, but Zack had vanished.
“I checked everywhere,” she recalls. “I knocked on neighbours’ doors, searched all the common areas, walked up and down the building all night.”
Sadly for Zack, he was found the next morning hiding in a bush and badly injured.
Rushed to Lort Smith Animal Hospital’s emergency department, it was discovered that against all odds he hadn’t injured his head or pelvis.
But his right hind leg wasn’t so lucky and despite our best efforts, the leg was too badly injured and had to be amputated.
‘’It would have been so painful to lose him. It’s amazing that we get to stay together. He’s my first baby,’’ said Pierina.
Lort Smith Chief Veterinarian, Dr Jessica Wilde, said, the incidents of cats jumping from multiple level balconies appear to increase during the warmer months.
‘’Now is the time to be proactive in your cat’s health and chose prevention over the cure,’’ said Dr Wilde.
‘’High-rise syndrome is completely avoidable by taking steps to prevent your cat’s access to areas from which they can fall. However, on a hot day, it’s easy to leave a window or balcony door open without thinking of the risks.’’
Simple ways to minimise the risk of falls include:
Moving any furniture that would allow your cat to access higher-level open windows
Making open windows safe with limiters that allow the window to only open a certain amount (eg, those designed to keep children safe) – but remember, cats, and particularly kittens, can squeeze through very small spaces or get stuck trying
Using mesh or barriers to cover open windows. These allow the window to fully open and remain safe
A balcony can provide valuable extra space and stimulation for an indoor cat, but it must be completely cat-proof too. Use balcony safety nets and meshes, and remember the small gaps that cats can squeeze through.
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Suzana Talevski: Head of Media and Digital Content, Lort Smith
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Email: stalevski@lortsmith.com