Cruel but cute

Fuzzy_Duck

Tiddlywinks, the majority of pink hair dyes are vegetable dyes, so wouldn't pose a threat to animals. Whilst I don't agree with what they did it was fairly obvious from them avoiding the eyes and nose that they didn't wish the cat any harm. People dye their dogs all the time without getting into trouble with the RSPCA so I'm a bit baffled by it to be honest.

I agree 100% with purplepardalis. I personally don't like people dying animals, painting their nails and putting them in a silly little clothes but it isn't cruel provided it doesn't stress out the animal. I don't know who did it and how much they had to restrain the cat to do it- or not at all- so I'm not going to judge. For all we know it could be the cat's owners who did it, like morg_monster says.

Slap on the wrist is all that's needed I think. The RSPCA were making it worst for the cat by washing it- it'll wash out by itself after a few trips out in the rain.

To put it all into perspective there are loads of twisted people who think it's acceptable to pierce their pet's ears or even tattoo them. Compared to that a pink cat really isn't an issue.

picklepick

I think its comparable to sending your dog to the groomers.
Having worked in a grooming salon in the past, I can safely say that whilst the majority of dogs arent too stressed by it, some are completely terrified! They shake and whine with fear the whole time they're there. Granted for some breeds it is a necessity but for others they go through that all so they can have a certain 'look' and smell like flowers for a few hours!
I dont see the RSPCA hunting down 'cruel' dog groomers?!

lauren_1

I have seen pet parlours offer a fur dye and claw polish to pets, I once saw a poodle with pink claws coming out of the parlour. I think the cat looks rather cute.

catswhiskers4

The owner has come forward and is getting her cat back. A vet ruled it was well cared for and it was food dye that was used.

nancy17

catswhiskers4 wrote: »

The owner has come forward and is getting her cat back. A vet ruled it was well cared for and it was food dye that was used.

That's good to hear!

Buttonmoons

Is anyone else tempted to colour the white patches on their cats pink now? I'm so not

At least owner and cat have been reunited, I do think it looks quite cute!

Eleanor_W

I don't see the harm if it was food colouring and the owner was careful to miss the face. If he were an indoor only cat, I think it's okay.
if he were an outdoor cat, I think it would be a bad idea, as it raises unwanted attention.

I had a cat running around with pink food dye splodges for a few weeks when she "helped" me with some arts and crafts (pawprints on some greetings cards).
The entire thing was entirely voluntary on her part (if you've ever tried to force a cat to do anything, you'd know what I mean), and she didn't seem to care about being a strange shade of pink around her "socks".:o

Jellicat

I think there are worse cruelty cases out there that the RSPCA could and should be publicising, it seems like every day a dog is getting set on fire or horses are being starved and abandoned. I really don't think dyeing a cat pink with vegetable dye is a big deal. I also don't think this is as bad as the idiots who put long coated fluffy little dogs in clothing in the height of summer, and those people who carry their little dogs in handbags rather than letting them walk, which some people do to the extent that it causes bone and joint problems. The breeding of "teacup" runt animals is also way worse IMO. Really I think this is just silly and I'm sure the cat doesn't care. Knowing cats as I do, I really doubt it put up a fight when it was getting dyed, as there are few people I know would put up with the flailing claws of a terrified cat just in order to pull a silly stunt like this. When a cat is scared, it is FRANTIC no way would it put up with this in the same way a dog would if it was at all bothered. I agree that by missing the eye area they obviously didn't want to hurt the cat.