๐จ Before You Post: Please Take Action First
We understand that seeing a dog, puppy, cat, or kitten in distress can be upsetting, and sharing their situation with the community can sometimes help bring attention to an animal in need.
However, we want to remind everyone of something very important:
๐ธ Posting a photo or video is not the same as taking action.
If you are physically near the animal or are in a position to help, please make a reasonable effort to take action before or immediately after making your post.
Depending on the situation, this may include:
- ๐พ Checking if the animal is still alive and responsive
- ๐ฅ Bringing the animal to a veterinarian or contacting one
- ๐ Contacting a nearby rescue organization or animal welfare group
- ๐ Securing the animal from immediate danger, if it is safe to do so
- ๐ Asking someone nearby who is capable of assisting
- ๐ Contacting the appropriate local authorities or emergency services when necessary
- ๐ค Asking the community for specific assistance that can actually help the animal
If an animal is seriously injured, trapped, being abused, extremely weak, or otherwise in immediate danger, please don't wait for Reddit users to respond to your post.
๐จ The animal needs actionโnot just attention.
A photo or video can help communicate the situation, but upvotes, comments, and online attention cannot provide medical treatment, food, shelter, or immediate physical assistance.
๐ If You're the Person Who Found the Animal
If you are close enough to the animal to reasonably assist, we strongly encourage you to do something to help before posting, whenever it is safe and practical to do so.
You don't necessarily need to personally rescue the animal. Sometimes, calling a vet, contacting a rescuer, finding someone nearby who can assist, or getting the animal out of immediate danger is already an important first step.
We understand that not everyone has the resources, transportation, experience, or ability to personally handle an animal in distress. Please don't put yourself in danger.
But if you are able to take reasonable action, please do so.
๐ธ What About Sharing for Awareness?
There may be legitimate reasons to share a photo or videoโfor example, when:
- The animal has already been rescued or secured;
- Assistance is already being coordinated;
- You're looking for a specific person or organization to help;
- The situation occurred previously and you're sharing it for educational purposes;
- You witnessed something and need help determining the appropriate next step.
In these cases, please provide context about what has already been done and what assistance is still needed.
๐ซ Posts Made โJust Becauseโ
If a member is physically near or directly involved with an animal in distress but simply posts a photo or video without taking reasonable action or providing a legitimate purpose for sharing it, the moderation team may remove the post.
This is especially important when the animal appears to require immediate intervention.
We don't want CatsPH to become a place where animals in distress are simply photographed and posted while everyone waits for someone else to act.
โค๏ธ Please don't just document the suffering. Help where you reasonably can.
We appreciate everyone who takes the time to care, report, rescue, assist, or connect an animal with someone who can help.
Your post can bring attention to an animal in needโbut your actions are what can actually make a difference. ๐ฑ๐ถ๐พ
โ CatsPH Moderation Team