Under the Animal Protection Act distressed is defined as:

• deprived of adequate shelter, ventilation, space, food, water, veterinary care, or reasonable protection from injuries heat or cold
• injured, sick, in pain or suffering
• abused and subjected to undue hardship, privation or neglect

Citizens are encouraged to make attempts to find the cat’s owner prior to contacting GEARS. As cats who are healthy are more likely to return to their owners if left in the community, healthy cats should be monitored and will only be admitted if found to be in distress.