A tiny kitten in a Brazilian neighborhood was so thickly coated in blue oil paint that she could barely move. Without a stranger who happened to notice her, she might not have survived the day.
A Kitten Found in Manaus
The kitten had been lost in a neighborhood in Manaus, Brazil, when activist and electrical engineer Amauri Gomes came across her by chance. According to the Italian outlet GreenMe, which cited the Brazilian site Só Notícia Boa, she was painted entirely in blue oil paint.
Gomes realized at once that it was an emergency. The paint had hardened on her fur and was stopping her from moving freely, and it had to come off as quickly as possible.
Careful Cleanup
Gomes patiently removed the paint from her coat, washed her and used a therapeutic bath oil to remove the last traces. He then took her to a vet. Because of her color, she was named Blue.
She recovered and was reported to be doing well. GreenMe noted that her story ended happily, though it would have taken very little for it to turn out differently.
Not an Isolated Case
Painted and dyed kittens have turned up in other places. In California, the Nine Lives Foundation in Redwood City cared for a kitten called Smurf who was found dyed blue and covered in bite wounds, according to ABC7 News. In San Antonio, Texas, a cat rescue took in a kitten dyed blue and named her Smurfette, KSAT reported. In the UK, a rescue in Bradford cared for two kittens whose white fur had been colored with what was likely permanent marker, according to Newshub.
If You Find an Animal Covered in Paint or Dye
Vets generally advise against using harsh solvents such as paint thinner, which can burn skin and be harmful if an animal licks it off. The safest step is to call a veterinarian right away, keep the animal warm and stop it from grooming itself, and let professionals handle the removal.
Caring for a Rescued Kitten: What It Costs
If you find or adopt a kitten in this kind of condition, here is what to expect:
- Emergency vet care. Exams, bathing, skin treatment and monitoring can be costly, so consider pet insurance for kittens and enroll before any problems appear.
- Pet poison help. Keep the number for a pet poison helpline and your emergency vet handy.
- Gentle grooming supplies. Vet-approved cat shampoo and soft grooming brushes suit sensitive skin.
- Kitten basics. Kitten food, a warm bed, a litter box and flea treatment are essentials.
- Support rescues. A donation to a local cat rescue or fostering helps animals recover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Blue found? In a neighborhood of Manaus, Brazil.
Who rescued her? Activist and electrical engineer Amauri Gomes, who found her by chance.
Why was the paint dangerous? It had hardened and kept her from moving normally, so it needed to be removed quickly.
What should I do if an animal is covered in paint? Call a vet immediately and avoid using solvents or thinners on the animal.
Sources: GreenMe, ABC7 News, KSAT, and Newshub, all covering the rescue of Blue, a kitten painted blue in Manaus, Brazil, and similar cases of dyed kittens in the United States and the UK.
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