Stray Cat Tries CPR to Save His Friend

Published June 2, 2010

While this is a moving but incredibly sad story (and video), my fellow cat lovers will agree that it is not unusual for tender and long abiding friendships to develop between felines. It makes no difference if they reside within the protective walls and gardens of a loving household, or if they are simply those forgotten, stray or untamed feral cats making their homes in the streets and back alleys of towns and cities the world over.

Which brings us to Turkey, in the Kizilsaray district of Antalya, where one stray cat was deeply bonded to his female companion and fellow neighborhood roamer. Sadly, the female cat was badly injured after being struck by a car and thoughtlessly left for dead.

The male was so protective toward her that he prevented caring strangers from helping by not allowing them to approach. He continued to guard her for two straight hours while also trying to revive her in motions similar to C.P.R., by physically manipulating and kneading her body.

Onlookers were amazed with the male cat's behavior as he tried to knead her back to life. One even likened his action to a cardiac massage.

This proves beyond all doubt to me that the feline species are totally capable of forming strong feelings and emotions toward other felines, and also how protective they can be when a friend is in trouble.

Unfortunately, even though a veterinarian arrived on the scene to assist, and in spite of the male cat's heroic efforts, the female succumbed to her fatal injuries. She died shortly after her arrival at the veterinary clinic.

Some may find the following video difficult to watch, however it does capture the essence of the love and care that the male cat gives to his female companion. Uploaded to YouTube by officialmadtube, it has been widely circulating around the Internet. The song is Eppure Sentire (Un Senso di Te) by Italian artist, Elisa.

See video
Author's profile photo
Jo Singer

Shortly after retiring as a social worker and psychotherapist, I discovered my "writer's voice"…

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Comments (73)

Anonymous (Unverified)
wow that is so touching i cried for almost the entire video. it reminded me of when i was very young and my father passed away and i just wanted him to wake up.
Anonymous (Unverified)
Oh PLEASE !! Anyone who KNOWS cats, knows this male cat is obviously trying to MATE w this injured cat!! "not CPR"! Only an IDIOT would try to try to pass this off otherwise.........
Anonymous (Unverified)
*you* obviously don't know cats. He is not trying to mate, or do CPR (which is stupid of the writer to even suggest). Cat knead much like a human child sucks his thumb - for comfort.
Anonymous (Unverified)
That was not an attempt at mating nor was it an attempt at CPR. Cats do that kneading action usually to comfort themselves, which makes sense in this case. The male cat seemed to be trying to pick the cat up much as a mother cat will pick up its kittens. There's obviously affection here, but no mating or CPR attempt. Still very sad to watch.
opie
I never have written any thing on any of these sites before but I really have to. All of you are sweet for thinking that this cats is trying to perform CPR but he is indeed trying to mate with that dying/dead female cat. If you watch closely you will see that his hind quarters are indeed moving in a way that intimates breeding. He is biting her on her neck as he would during breeding and the massage is a part of the act of breeding also. The only reason I recognize this is that I have seen it happen before, same circumstances. Car in front of us hit a female being chased by a male, as she lay dead, I went to find the owners and came back to find him also attempting to breed her. It is just the way mother nature made them and there is no good or bad here. Just nature.
Anonymous (Unverified)
You're wrong. He is not trying to mate. All cats do this kneading action; researchers, and cat lovers believe, for comfort, not when they are trying to mate. Look it up, or ask someone who has actually spent a lot of time with cats. However, he may not be trying to comfort himself because the other cat is sick. Cat's do this on a daily basis even when they aren't in stressful situations. Of course, it not CPR, either, that's just idiotic.
Anonymous (Unverified)
SO GLAD , YOU pointed this out!! it always amazes me what people will fall for, out of "emotion". ! thanks!