Shelter Worker Steps In To Stop Cats Fighting—Ends Up Scratched and Shaken
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A 29-year-old shelter volunteer turned to the internet for help when an incident with two cats left her with scratches across her face.
Ray Smith helps out in a local Michigan animal shelter where she recently attempted to separate two cats before a fight broke out—a well-intentioned but hasty decision. Despite knowing better, Smith instinctively grabbed the stressed feline, leading to an immediate scratch that left her bleeding and in shock.
"I was trying to separate a cat from another kitty before a fight broke out. I know better than to do this, but froze up in the moment and just grabbed her because she reminded me of my senior cat whom I'm very protective of. She got scared and scratched my face. Totally my fault," Smith told Newsweek.
Pictures of Smith's face immediately after the cat scratches.
Pictures of Smith's face immediately after the cat scratches.
Adventurous-Apple659/Reddit
"I was crying in the picture because it hurt so bad and was throbbing," Smith said. The severity of the wound sent her straight to the doctor for antibiotics, and, as the pain subsided, she sought additional advice online.
When Smith looked at her skin afterward, the scratches left her shocked, and she turned to Reddit's r/30PlusSkinCare subreddit for help. "Will this permanently scar? I'm so distraught. Please be gentle," she said in a post online as u/Adventurous-Apple659.
But the skincare community didn't disappoint, providing crucial tips—including keeping the wound covered with Vaseline and avoiding sun exposure—to minimize scarring. "I honestly think this subreddit saved me," Smith said.
Cat scratches on humans are common, and most are minor and heal without issue. Despite this, there are safety considerations to keep in mind after being scratched by a feline.
Cat scratches can introduce various bacteria into the skin and occasionally cause infections that could develop into complications. It is always a good idea to check an injury with a doctor after a cat scratch, and monitor the wound for any signs of infection including increasing redness, swelling, pain or pus.
When it comes to fighting cats, it is important to intervene carefully to prevent injury to both cats and yourself. Experts advise using a loud noise, sudden movement or toy to divert attention and safely interrupt a fight, while placing a solid object such as a piece of cardboard or couch cushion between cats can help separate them safely.
Smith's post resonated with many, drawing responses that eased her fears about lasting facial scars and gave her a solid game plan for recovery. The experience also served as a stark reminder: "I learned my lesson to never grab a stressed cat, no matter how protective I may feel," she said.
Now healing, Smith remains grateful—both for the online support and the fact that she didn't suffer permanent damage. "I'm so grateful I didn't lose an eye in the encounter," she said, adding that her instincts briefly overrode her better judgment when she separated the cats.
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