Cats and Garage Doors Don’t Mix
April 24th, 2009
Ordinarily, this space is reserved for talking shop and sharing tips, business viewpoints and such. In light of my cat’s accident yesterday, it occurred to me that her plight could be encountered by any number of cats out there. Our surgeon assures us there are in fact many cases of this very thing happening to cats all over our area. It made me think it’s preventable and maybe this post will help another family from going through what we’re going through right now. UPDATE: Karma also has her own Page on this Blog, so you can follow her journey.
What Happened to Karma
Our dear cat Karma is like many cats; curious investigator, part player, part explorer, part lounger. This particular day, Karma was a lounger, but instead of choosing a warm piece of flagstone out in the sun, she chose the garage door. Our automatic garage door is like any you might see; large, retractable, stops when someone or something steps in the way when it’s coming down. Unfortunately, if it’s open and something is laying on top of it, nothing triggers it to stop moving. Our family found this out the hard way, and sadly, didn’t discover a problem until we returned home to see something hanging at the top of the garage door. That’s right, our dear Karma kitty. When I backed the car out to leave, she was apparently up on the “inside” of the garage door, and once closing, she didn’t have a place to jump. You can figure out the rest.
What Happens Now
Karma was immediately rushed for care, but what was obvious when I found her? Her hind legs wouldn’t move, there was certain paralysis. She’s since been transferred to another facility for more comprehensive care, her condition guarded because she has a spinal cord injury. We know we have a long road ahead. She may could either make a full recovery or have partial or total paralysis to her hind quarters for the rest of her life; if she remains in good health, this could be another 15 years. We’re prepared for this, as we already said we’re committed to her long term care, but it’s definitely something to think about the next time you open or close your own garage door.
Take A Quick Look
Easy to say now, right? But if I’d have just glanced up top before hopping into my car, I’d have seen her. So the lesson is not just for my next time, but for YOUR next time. Give a look and make sure one of your loved ones is not resting in this dangerous spot. And please, say a prayer for our cat and family as we try to get her back to living her life of leisure. -
Update: we’ve added a Twitter account for Karma, so follow her journey @kitty_Karma and she now has her own page on this site, which includes pictures and some things for other people to know about when caring for their paralyzed cat.
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I'm sorry to hear what happened to Karma and I hope she's doing better now.
I found out two days ago that garage doors are cats' enemies. Tuesday morning I left to go to work, and said goodbye to my three cats. I talked to my husband on his lunch hour, he always goes home for lunch. When I went back home from work, I saw what it appeared to be a "dark plastic bag" hanging from the garage. When I got closer, I realized it was Midge, the sweetest one of my three cats. As you well imagine I was hysterical and didn't want to believe what had happened.
When my husband went home to have lunch, he keeps the garage door open until he leaves. It's obvious that she was sleeping up there and was not fast to react when the door started moving. He or I never waited for the door to close, specially this time, since he had a doctor's appointment and was late. If I would have known that this could happen, I would have taken precautions, but I never heard of something like this happening.
Midge didn't make it. It was too late and I just hope she didn't suffer for too long. The image of her will always be in my mind. I feel so bad about it. I just wish there was more awareness about this, not only for our own pets but for all of the other cats who usually run around the neighborhoods and can borrow the neighbors garage doors.
Hi Claudia,
First, my heartfelt condolences about your dear Midge kitty. I know exactly what you mean about finding her the way you did; I'll never be able to look at the garage door the same way when I pull up. Not only that, but the image just stays with you a long time. Not sure that will ever really fade.
I'm happy to report that after all those months of work, surgeries and 24/7 care, we have a full cat again. I laugh because for the pricetag, we could have cloned Karma and gotten 50 more like her
She's our sweetest too, and part of me wondered if I love her too much, and it was a lesson on perspective or something. Any way, I think the important thing to know is that you loved your dear kitty and that love will never change. Our job is to protect our other cats and let cat people we know KNOW that this is something that can happen. In fact, I think I'll send this blog post over to my local Humane Society and hope they read it and share it with other cat people. I'm glad you found your way here and hopefully you feel just a little bit comforted.
Tonight, when I closed the garage door, I pinned our Max between the garage door and the wall. I opened the door asap when I heard his cry of pain.
We had no idea that he was resting / sleeping on the top of open garage door.
He jumped down as soon as the door began to open. He ran into the night We don’t know the extent of his injuries. Unfortunately, we may never know or even have the opportunity to help him.
Max is a “former” feral that we adopted and have been working to domestic for more than 6 months. Max had just found his voice and saw us as his home – following us in the yard, just out of reach (of course.)
Hopefully, Max will be here for breakfast in the morning! If he is, I pray that we can find someway to get him the medical care for any injuries that he may have.
If Max comes home to us, any advice on how to get and give him the medical care that he may need, would be greatly appreciated!
I am devastated by my lack of vigilance and ignorance of garage doors and cats.
I came to your website in desperation for answers.
In thanks of this venue!
Hi Cheryl,
Just wanted to follow up with you, as I sent you an email regarding your message. Hope all turned out okay with your cat Max.
Deb
I’m having trouble picturing what happened and where she was, too. I don’t understand whether (and how) she was resting on top of a closed garage door, or was the door open and she was resting inside on top of the mechanism that closes the door? Just can’t grasp where she was. I think it would be difficult for people to know where to check without further explanation or a photo of the location. Anyway, my heartfelt prayers for her recovery.
You’re the second person to say that, so I’ve made post, with a picture – you were on track, sort of
Thanks for your wishes, we’re pulling hard for this little girl.
http://www.bizcoachdeb.com/blog/about/karma-kitty/9/
Hi,
I’m really trying to picture what happened, but am having difficulty. When you advise to check the “dangerous spot” before opening the door, I’m not sure where you’re talking about. Would it be possible for you to post a picture or two? I am concerned about this, since one of my cats mainly only hangs out in the garage.
Sending deep purrrrrrs to Karma, sounds like her recovery is positive so far – how lucky she is to have such loving parents!
Sorry to hear about your kitty! I’ll say a prayer for her!!
Thanks Mike, she needs all the prayers she can get!
I hope she recovers, my heartfelt sympathy for such a tragic accident. we will pray for you.
Piper
Thank you, your thoughts and prayers mean a lot to our family.