A cat that was severely neglected, was found with the most extreme case of matting. Now she can finally get a chance at a happy and comfortable life.

Her name is Hidey because "she often hid."

Courtesy: Animal Rescue League Shelter & Wildlife Center

A calico cat was brought to the clinic of Animal Rescue League Shelter and Wildlife Center last week after the owner was taken to a nursing home and suffered from Alzheimers. "[Hidey the cat] suffered from severe matting, the likes of which had been neglected for years," the shelter shares with Love Meow.

Her fur was so matted that it looked like dreadlocks. According to the shelter, they were about 6 to 8 inches long that contained feces and hair all tangled in together.

"If a family member, friend or neighbor owns a pet, please help them to make sure there is a support system in place if/when mental faculties begin diminishing," said Dan Rossi, CEO of the Animal Rescue League Shelter and Western PA Humane Society.

Courtesy: Animal Rescue League Shelter & Wildlife Center

The hair that shed from the cat's body just stayed within the mat. "The end of the mat contains fur [that] has been shed a long time ago. That's how they can get to that length," Emily P, CVT, said.

It took hours to get all individual dreads removed and the matted hair shaved off.



Video: Jenn Levitzki

"All the mats were pretty much individual so it was easy to get underneath them," Jenn Levitzki, vet tech, said.



They had to sedate the cat before the procedure so to make the kitty as comfortable as possible.

Courtesy: Animal Rescue League Shelter & Wildlife Center

"Our Medical team shaved off the pounds of intertwined fur from her body and, needless to say, this cat is feeling so much better now!"

After years of years matted hair endured, it was all shaved off!

Photo: Jenn Levitzki

"Hidey is getting acclimated at her new home. There are hopes she will warm up to her new owners now that she is feeling better," Caitlin Lasky of Western PA Humane Society told Love Meow.

Free of all the matted hair and dreadlocks, the kitty is feeling so much better and can finally have a chance at a happy and healthy life!

Courtesy: Western PA Humane Society

Cuddling with her human at her forever home.

Courtesy: Western PA Humane Society

Share this story with your friends. Follow Animal Rescue League Shelter & Wildlife Center on Facebook.



Related story: Rescue Cat with the Craziest Whiskers from Neglect to Loving Home