Photographer Rescues Freezing Animal Trapped in Trash After Hearing Screams
With temperatures below freezing and a fresh layer of snow covering the ground, Angel Talitha Dougherty and her father set out for what they thought would be just another photo shoot in Greeley, Colorado. Little did they know, their outing would take an unexpected turn when they became heroes for a helpless creature in distress.
An Unusual Sound in the Cold
As they arrived at the park, Dougherty and her father were adjusting their cameras when an unfamiliar sound caught their attention.
“I have never heard an animal make those sounds before,” Dougherty told The Dodo. “We were searching all around the park for what was making this noise.”
Discovery in the Trash Can
Following the eerie cries, the pair traced the noise to a nearby trash can. As Dougherty’s father carefully lifted the lid, they saw a pair of desperate eyes staring back at them. A black cat sat at the bottom, shivering and unable to climb out.
Despite initial concerns about how the cat might react, Dougherty’s father carefully reached inside and pulled the feline to safety.
Grateful Rescue
Much to their relief, the cat responded with joy rather than fear.
“We were a little apprehensive of how the cat would react, but he was just so grateful we saved him,” Dougherty said. “He started purring as soon as we pulled him in close.”
Eager to reunite the cat with its potential owners, Dougherty walked around the neighborhood, asking if anyone was missing their pet. She also took him to a vet for a checkup, but he had no microchip. After posting in several local Facebook groups with no responses, she started to suspect the worst—this lovable cat had been abandoned.
A New Forever Home
After a week of searching with no leads, Dougherty knew what she had to do.
“I decided to make my home his home!” she said.
The rescued cat, now named Finnegan Francisco—affectionately called “Finn”—quickly settled into his new life.
Finn’s Happy New Life
One month later, Finn and Dougherty have formed a strong bond. He has proven to be both affectionate and playful, keeping Dougherty entertained with his lively antics.
“He can be very cuddly, but he also loves to play,” Dougherty said. “He is a very agile little guy. He loves sitting in the window [and] listening to the birds.”
A Lucky Encounter
For Dougherty, hearing Finn’s cries that day was a stroke of fate. She feels incredibly fortunate to have crossed paths with such a sweet feline.
“I really enjoy Finn’s personality. I like that he follows me around and does what I do,” Dougherty said. “I really lucked out with finding such a sweet cat.”
In the end, what started as a cold and quiet photo session turned into a heartwarming rescue, proving that sometimes, being in the right place at the right time can truly mean the difference between life and death.
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