Hopatcong Animal Shelter warns of cold-weather dangers after cat injured in car engine

HOPATCONG BOROUGH, N.J. (Sussex County) — The Hopatcong Animal Shelter is warning pet owners about the dangers cats face during cold weather after a cat was badly injured when it crawled into a vehicle’s engine bay seeking warmth.

In a social media post, the shelter shared the story of Marcia, a cat that survived the incident but suffered extensive injuries. According to the shelter, Marcia sustained burns to about 40 percent of her body and injuries to all four of her paws after the vehicle was started. She remains in pain and faces a long and difficult recovery.

Shelter officials said cats often seek out engine bays, wheel wells and undercarriages in cold weather because the spaces are warm, hidden and feel safe. When a car is started, cats may have only seconds to escape — if they are able to escape at all.

The shelter said the incident highlights the many risks faced by cats allowed to roam outdoors, including traffic, predators, toxins, weather exposure and accidents. Officials stressed that outdoor cats are especially vulnerable during the winter months.

Residents are urged to keep cats indoors and to take precautions before starting their vehicles, such as knocking on the hood or honking the horn. The shelter also encouraged people to report missing cats to their local animal shelter rather than assuming they are gone permanently.

Marcia will eventually need a new permanent home once she has recovered, the shelter said.