A black-and-white photo of a person mid-air in a Superman-style body suspension pose, supported by multiple hooks in their back and legs, smiling joyfully toward the camera. They are suspended horizontally in a large indoor space with high ceilings and visible rigging. A group of onlookers—some seated, some standing—watch with expressions of admiration, amusement, and support. The atmosphere is lively and communal, capturing a moment of shared experience and transformation.

Dermal Punched Ear… On a cat!

Before you freak out about this 2ga punched cartilage on this cat’s ear, which was done by a Connecticut veterinarian under anesthesia, please read Chelsea‘s explanation of what you’re seeing —

“This was done while she was under anesthesia because she was a member of an established feral cat colony that was going to be released back into the wild. The holepunch was supposed to signify that she has been spayed — they do this to control the population, as the cats usually are completely wild and un-adoptable. She was an anamoly and decided that she liked being a pet better!”

Comments

166 responses to “Dermal Punched Ear… On a cat!”

  1. lilangel311 Avatar
    lilangel311

    I raise dogs for the seeing eye and they have a number tattoo’ed in their ear, so I feel for this purpose it is okay, the main thing is the pet did not suffer in any way.

  2. lilangel311 Avatar
    lilangel311

    I raise dogs for the seeing eye and they have a number tattoo’ed in their ear, so I feel for this purpose it is okay, the main thing is the pet did not suffer in any way.

  3. wallyworld8 Avatar
    wallyworld8

    WHO THE FUCK GIVES IF IT WAS DONE UNDER ANESTHESIA, DID THE CAT CONSENT TO IT. HOW DO YOU KNOW THE POST-OP WASN’T PAINFUL FOR IT??? STUPID FUCKS.

  4. wallyworld8 Avatar
    wallyworld8

    WHO THE FUCK GIVES IF IT WAS DONE UNDER ANESTHESIA, DID THE CAT CONSENT TO IT. HOW DO YOU KNOW THE POST-OP WASN’T PAINFUL FOR IT??? STUPID FUCKS.

  5. quinnn Avatar

    the cat didn’t consent to having its reproductive organs removed either. Why aren’t you bitching about that?

  6. quinnn Avatar

    the cat didn’t consent to having its reproductive organs removed either. Why aren’t you bitching about that?

  7. CutThroat Avatar

    I haz bod modz!1

  8. CutThroat Avatar

    I haz bod modz!1

  9. satanycandle Avatar

    some examples of animals getting mods..
    cows/bulls get branded.. bulls have septum piercings..
    cats over here have one of the ears, the edge, snipped to mark that they have been spayed.. it actually saves their lives, cz without that lil cut, they can be culled..

    in my opinion, if it’s necessary in order to save it’s life and since an animal cant sign documents to approve it..
    what have to be done gotta be done.

    post-op, come on, definitely it will cause discomfort but i am confident they have been supervised before releasing back to the wild.. as long as the association is genuine about them helping the animals.

    i think if it isnt animal testing for human benefits, it’s all good, for me..
    i do LOVE my animals alright, before anyone tries to put me in my place.
    i just find it amateurish when people say, fuck this, fuck that without a rational explaination.

  10. satanycandle Avatar

    some examples of animals getting mods..
    cows/bulls get branded.. bulls have septum piercings..
    cats over here have one of the ears, the edge, snipped to mark that they have been spayed.. it actually saves their lives, cz without that lil cut, they can be culled..

    in my opinion, if it’s necessary in order to save it’s life and since an animal cant sign documents to approve it..
    what have to be done gotta be done.

    post-op, come on, definitely it will cause discomfort but i am confident they have been supervised before releasing back to the wild.. as long as the association is genuine about them helping the animals.

    i think if it isnt animal testing for human benefits, it’s all good, for me..
    i do LOVE my animals alright, before anyone tries to put me in my place.
    i just find it amateurish when people say, fuck this, fuck that without a rational explaination.

  11. jordyn Avatar
    jordyn

    If it wouldnt eat it and potiently swallow I would totally send it some earskins and some holey buttr

  12. jordyn Avatar
    jordyn

    If it wouldnt eat it and potiently swallow I would totally send it some earskins and some holey buttr

  13. Clovertastic Avatar

    Thank you CutThroat! I needed that. Is operating on an animal with the potential of having an uncomfortable healing bad? No because it saves lives. Is punching a hole in an animals ear bad? No because it saves lives!

    Zomg I hez dah Dermalz!

  14. Clovertastic Avatar

    Thank you CutThroat! I needed that. Is operating on an animal with the potential of having an uncomfortable healing bad? No because it saves lives. Is punching a hole in an animals ear bad? No because it saves lives!

    Zomg I hez dah Dermalz!

  15. katt Avatar
    katt

    In a normal situation, I’d probably not be happy with any person doing this to any living being that couldn’t consent (as this is technically ‘cosmetic’ instead of something for better health) whether it be a child or a kitten, but there is a use for it in this case, and it prevents less stress for everyone and saves time for the organization to not have to bring in the same cat five times to the vet to get her spayed.

    This is different that some random owner going into the vet’s office and asking them to put holes in their animal’s ears because they think it’d be cool to have a pet with pierced ears or whatever it might be. It serves a useful purpose (the same goes for identification tattoos, even the Hello Kitty one in the BME gallery I feel was humanely done as it was under anesthesia already) because it’s noticeable and unique- there are lots of striped cats out there, but a striped cat with an ear tattoo or hole is going to stand out more. For the original purpose, it’s a win-win situation for the organization and the animals- time/money is saved and fewer cats have to be stressed out because they can tell them apart easily.

    Oh, and- I HAS HOLE IN MAH EAR!!!!111

  16. katt Avatar
    katt

    In a normal situation, I’d probably not be happy with any person doing this to any living being that couldn’t consent (as this is technically ‘cosmetic’ instead of something for better health) whether it be a child or a kitten, but there is a use for it in this case, and it prevents less stress for everyone and saves time for the organization to not have to bring in the same cat five times to the vet to get her spayed.

    This is different that some random owner going into the vet’s office and asking them to put holes in their animal’s ears because they think it’d be cool to have a pet with pierced ears or whatever it might be. It serves a useful purpose (the same goes for identification tattoos, even the Hello Kitty one in the BME gallery I feel was humanely done as it was under anesthesia already) because it’s noticeable and unique- there are lots of striped cats out there, but a striped cat with an ear tattoo or hole is going to stand out more. For the original purpose, it’s a win-win situation for the organization and the animals- time/money is saved and fewer cats have to be stressed out because they can tell them apart easily.

    Oh, and- I HAS HOLE IN MAH EAR!!!!111

  17. Willbilly Avatar
    Willbilly

    I love how much controversy animal modification stirs up. Does no one realize that we have been modifying pets for a very long time? The Egyptians used to pierce their cats ears. We have been docking dogs ears and tails for centuries. We brand cattle and livestock. Even pierced septums can be found on cattle. Is this so terrrible?

  18. Willbilly Avatar
    Willbilly

    I love how much controversy animal modification stirs up. Does no one realize that we have been modifying pets for a very long time? The Egyptians used to pierce their cats ears. We have been docking dogs ears and tails for centuries. We brand cattle and livestock. Even pierced septums can be found on cattle. Is this so terrrible?

  19. Ev.Ol Avatar
    Ev.Ol

    My cat has a similair whole in her ear, but she got hers from a fight with a neighbouring cat.
    She did get an ID tattoo in her ear though.

  20. Ev.Ol Avatar
    Ev.Ol

    My cat has a similair whole in her ear, but she got hers from a fight with a neighbouring cat.
    She did get an ID tattoo in her ear though.

  21. Gabe Avatar

    lol there is nothing wrong with body mods on animals. I just found out that my dog had a tattoo on his stomach it was like a cross. It was showing that he was neutered

  22. Gabe Avatar

    lol there is nothing wrong with body mods on animals. I just found out that my dog had a tattoo on his stomach it was like a cross. It was showing that he was neutered

  23. Amanda Avatar
    Amanda

    I can’t tell if the cat is cute if all I can see is the back of her head. =( Buuuut it’s nice they did it under anaestesia. I hope the healing wasn’t too painful.

  24. Amanda Avatar
    Amanda

    I can’t tell if the cat is cute if all I can see is the back of her head. =( Buuuut it’s nice they did it under anaestesia. I hope the healing wasn’t too painful.

  25. Kim Avatar

    CutThroat: ahahahaha!

  26. Kim Avatar

    CutThroat: ahahahaha!

  27. eeks Avatar
    eeks

    I don’t think it’s such a big deal, it’s actually pretty cool.

    LOL @CutThroat

  28. eeks Avatar
    eeks

    I don’t think it’s such a big deal, it’s actually pretty cool.

    LOL @CutThroat

  29. brute Avatar

    i agree with #11–such is the case with collars vs “tearaway collars,” which look shoddy and poorly made, but really save thousands of cats a year from accidental strangulation. i feel this punch, in which the jewelry does not stick out, etc, runs along the same lines.

  30. brute Avatar

    i agree with #11–such is the case with collars vs “tearaway collars,” which look shoddy and poorly made, but really save thousands of cats a year from accidental strangulation. i feel this punch, in which the jewelry does not stick out, etc, runs along the same lines.

  31. brute Avatar

    i agree with #11–such is the case with collars vs “tearaway collars,” which look shoddy and poorly made, but really save thousands of cats a year from accidental strangulation. i feel this punch, in which the jewelry does not stick out, etc, runs along the same lines.

  32. brute Avatar

    i agree with #11–such is the case with collars vs “tearaway collars,” which look shoddy and poorly made, but really save thousands of cats a year from accidental strangulation. i feel this punch, in which the jewelry does not stick out, etc, runs along the same lines.

  33. belle Avatar
    belle

    I just want to point out for all the people who think this is cruel because the animal didn’t consent— um, hello? We cut off their genitals. Do you think they consent to that? I think a hole punch is far less obtrusive and cruel.

  34. belle Avatar
    belle

    I just want to point out for all the people who think this is cruel because the animal didn’t consent— um, hello? We cut off their genitals. Do you think they consent to that? I think a hole punch is far less obtrusive and cruel.

  35. Sage Avatar
    Sage

    Oh god, after reading some of these comments…it’s like all the PETA freaks jumped out from nowhere even after Shannon’s explanation. Would you rather the cat be dead? It was after all a stray. You think a cat would consent to being neutered? Go eat a tofu burrito and chill the fuck out.

  36. Sage Avatar
    Sage

    Oh god, after reading some of these comments…it’s like all the PETA freaks jumped out from nowhere even after Shannon’s explanation. Would you rather the cat be dead? It was after all a stray. You think a cat would consent to being neutered? Go eat a tofu burrito and chill the fuck out.

  37. amy Avatar

    Hey, I’ve met this cat.
    Cool.

  38. amy Avatar

    Hey, I’ve met this cat.
    Cool.

  39. HereKittyKitty Avatar
    HereKittyKitty

    Feral cats must be altered to prevent unwanted kittens. Giving them a visible mark is so they do not get re-captured and possibly go thru another surgery. Here, they notch the ear.

    Anyone who thinks this is cruel has never been to an animal pound and seen unwanted animals locked in cages, or witnessed animals being euthanized for no fault of their own. Animal neglect and overpopulation is cruel.
    Wake up people. Stop whining and devote some time volunteering at an animal shelter or caring for a feral colony.

  40. HereKittyKitty Avatar
    HereKittyKitty

    Feral cats must be altered to prevent unwanted kittens. Giving them a visible mark is so they do not get re-captured and possibly go thru another surgery. Here, they notch the ear.

    Anyone who thinks this is cruel has never been to an animal pound and seen unwanted animals locked in cages, or witnessed animals being euthanized for no fault of their own. Animal neglect and overpopulation is cruel.
    Wake up people. Stop whining and devote some time volunteering at an animal shelter or caring for a feral colony.

  41. Kale Avatar
    Kale

    I think that this is a neat way to identify which feral cats have been fixed or not. I’m all for trying to reduce the unwanted pet population by sterilizing the cats then releasing them back to the “wild”.
    For what its worth I wish that the people around where I live would spay or neuter their cats and actually take care of them instead of letting them be “outdoor” cats. It really pisses me off how many people say my cat’s a cat so it should roam free, have as many kittens as it can, be exposed to the elements/other animals and then bitch about how animals should be treated.

  42. Kale Avatar
    Kale

    I think that this is a neat way to identify which feral cats have been fixed or not. I’m all for trying to reduce the unwanted pet population by sterilizing the cats then releasing them back to the “wild”.
    For what its worth I wish that the people around where I live would spay or neuter their cats and actually take care of them instead of letting them be “outdoor” cats. It really pisses me off how many people say my cat’s a cat so it should roam free, have as many kittens as it can, be exposed to the elements/other animals and then bitch about how animals should be treated.

  43. Viking's Valkyrie Avatar

    Rock on. Though I can see some issues with this, as in the hole getting caught on something and tearing or further injury in a fight, it’s far more bold and obvious then the classic notching or “tipping” of the ear.

    Any douche who thinks this is unnecessary and cruel needs to read the book that can be found here:

    http://www.amazon.com/One-Time-American-Animal-Shelter/dp/0972838708/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-5306846-0182256?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185769709&sr=8-1

    and spend a week watching unadoptable animals die in a high volume animal shelter. If after seeing the things I and so many other shelter workers have seen (shall I mention decapitation of dead animals for rabies tests?) then if they want to bitch about THIS being cruel… well…I still don’t want to hear it. They would be better off using their time to come up with a better answer.

  44. Viking's Valkyrie Avatar

    Rock on. Though I can see some issues with this, as in the hole getting caught on something and tearing or further injury in a fight, it’s far more bold and obvious then the classic notching or “tipping” of the ear.

    Any douche who thinks this is unnecessary and cruel needs to read the book that can be found here:

    http://www.amazon.com/One-Time-American-Animal-Shelter/dp/0972838708/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-5306846-0182256?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185769709&sr=8-1

    and spend a week watching unadoptable animals die in a high volume animal shelter. If after seeing the things I and so many other shelter workers have seen (shall I mention decapitation of dead animals for rabies tests?) then if they want to bitch about THIS being cruel… well…I still don’t want to hear it. They would be better off using their time to come up with a better answer.

  45. Anselm Avatar

    So, one more note on this whole thing from somebody who hangs out with a vet far to much: The reason the ear is notched (or, in this case, punched) instead of tattooed is so that it can be seen from a distance. The idea is to make a mark that will not change the cat’s body identity (yes, they have them) any more than a normal scar from a cat fight will (i.e. no tags, collars, etc), but still be visible from a distance (i.e. not a tattoo which needs to be looked for).
    Generally, these things are done under full-body anesthesia right after the animal is operated on, under sterile conditions, with clean, sharp instruments. For the most part, they are very well treated to keep the physical and psychological stress to a minimum. After all, the idea is to let them continue their lives with as little disturbance as possible.
    That having been said- I would so pop a ring in that hole!

  46. Anselm Avatar

    So, one more note on this whole thing from somebody who hangs out with a vet far to much: The reason the ear is notched (or, in this case, punched) instead of tattooed is so that it can be seen from a distance. The idea is to make a mark that will not change the cat’s body identity (yes, they have them) any more than a normal scar from a cat fight will (i.e. no tags, collars, etc), but still be visible from a distance (i.e. not a tattoo which needs to be looked for).
    Generally, these things are done under full-body anesthesia right after the animal is operated on, under sterile conditions, with clean, sharp instruments. For the most part, they are very well treated to keep the physical and psychological stress to a minimum. After all, the idea is to let them continue their lives with as little disturbance as possible.
    That having been said- I would so pop a ring in that hole!

  47. Smash Avatar
    Smash

    no offence to anyone here but its a cat.. it prolly doesnt even know it has a hole in its ear. i think a mark like this is much better then say cutting a notch or tip out/off of it. plus you can be fairly certain it diddnt happen in a fight of some kind of accident. i know here tattooing of the ear and or injecting some crazy metal computer chip into animals necks are common and from volunteering at an animal shelter i can tell you that the cats/dogs/whatever do know there is a “Humaine” pain/irritent in the necks (ie the chip). and i agree with a previous post that many of the practises in urban areas would just not be possible in the rural areas and prolly put down so to that respect i believe this is a good alternative

  48. Smash Avatar
    Smash

    no offence to anyone here but its a cat.. it prolly doesnt even know it has a hole in its ear. i think a mark like this is much better then say cutting a notch or tip out/off of it. plus you can be fairly certain it diddnt happen in a fight of some kind of accident. i know here tattooing of the ear and or injecting some crazy metal computer chip into animals necks are common and from volunteering at an animal shelter i can tell you that the cats/dogs/whatever do know there is a “Humaine” pain/irritent in the necks (ie the chip). and i agree with a previous post that many of the practises in urban areas would just not be possible in the rural areas and prolly put down so to that respect i believe this is a good alternative

  49. Giles Wallwork Avatar

    There is a strong difference between a cat having this done to aid the control of a feral species and having it done for the fascination of its owner.

    This is an acceptable act done not for artistic merit but for the welfare of animals overall.

  50. Giles Wallwork Avatar

    There is a strong difference between a cat having this done to aid the control of a feral species and having it done for the fascination of its owner.

    This is an acceptable act done not for artistic merit but for the welfare of animals overall.

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