In Montreal, Canada, a family had noticed a stray cat on their balcony several times. They didn't pay much attention to the animal, who seemed to be getting on with his life. However, they were forced to face reality in mid-January when a snowstorm changed everything.
That evening, the snow was falling heavily and the thermometer was already showing -10°C, leaving little doubt about the freezing night ahead.
When they went to get something from their balcony, the family spotted the cat again. The frightened feline ran off to hide further away in the yard, under some tarpaulins. As they got closer, the family noticed a strong smell of urine in that spot. There was no doubt about it: the cat was sheltering there as best he could, and he was in danger with the night drawing in.
Trying to bring him into the warm
Determined not to leave the cat to his fate, the family did everything they could to catch him and bring him inside. Pulling out all the stops, they set up a camera, warm water, and food to see if the cat would come back onto the balcony.
A few hours later, the cat was so hungry that he couldn't miss the opportunity and appeared in front of the bowl of pâté. After finishing his meal, he didn't leave and seemed to want a second helping. The young woman of the family tried her luck with a second round to get closer to the kitty, but he got scared and ran back to hide in the yard. Unwilling to give up despite the freezing temperatures making the mission difficult, the young woman started calling to the cat to reassure him. To her great surprise, the tabby cat began to meow back and dared to come closer.
The magnificent long-haired cat was in a pitiful state and had lost much of his former glory. His fur was matted, and he seemed to be at the end of his strength in his fight for survival on the streets.
Although the cat seemed happy to be getting help, he couldn't bring himself to trust them completely, and it wasn't easy to lure him inside the house. At 3 a.m., the family left a window open with a trail of treats, hoping to entice him in, but it didn't work.
So, the cat spent the night outside, despite all the kind family's efforts. But the next day, the makeshift rescuers opted for a different technique, not wanting to waste any more time given the animal's distress: they borrowed a humane trap to ensure they could catch him.
Set up near the tarpaulins where the cat used to hide, the trap quickly proved effective. A few hours later, the cat was finally safe and could receive the care he needed.
A new beginning for Myrlin
Placed in the bathroom while a long-term solution was found, the cat has since been named Myrlin. The six-year-old was then taken in by a Montreal-based charity, which now hopes to find him a forever home. Described as a real sweetheart, Myrlin has been calm, gentle, and affectionate since his rescue. There's no doubt he'll soon melt the heart of an adopter who will make him forget those sad nights!
