Vanilla Ice being treated for severe hypothermia at Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center of New England on Weds. Jan 23

On Tuesday evening, Boston Animal Control Officer Matt Scanlon received a call from a good Samaritan who was concerned after hearing a cat’s helpless cries. When Scanlon arrived at the apartment complex, he found the severely emaciated cat trapped between a metal grate and a cellar window. Given this week’s freezing temperatures, the cat was nearly frozen to death.

Scanlon reached out to the League‘s Lt. Alan Borgal, who then transported the cat to Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center of New England (VESCONE). VESCONE’s veterinary medical staff noted that the cat’s body temperature was twenty degrees below normal, constituting a severe and potentially life-threatening case of hypothermia. However, thanks to their efforts, he slowly began to revive and, within 24 hours, was alert, eating and resting comfortably.

Bill, one of our Senior Rescue Technicians, helps Vanilla Ice settle in at the League.

We are so happy to report that the cat (dubbed ”Vanilla Ice” by VESCONE staff members) was discharged on Thursday, January 24 and is now in the care of our Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center staff until he is ready for adoption.

We are grateful to our friends at VESCONE and Boston Animal Control Officer Matt Scanlon for taking such wonderful care of Vanilla. We also thank our generous donors for allowing us to provide emergency care to homeless, stray and vulnerable animals in need.

News Coverage:

WCVB-TV “Cat survives deadly cold in Boston