I too wasn’t paying attention and in a hurry. Takarra was sleeping on the cat tree when I went into the bathroom to put my clothes in the dryer. The Dryer was in my bedroom and I never thought about grabbing a basket or taking the laundry in the bedroom first. I was in a hurry to get to my niece’s birthday party that day. At some point, Takarra got up and went in my room. She got in the dryer when I wasn’t looking. I was in a hurry and left after starting it. She was a 7 month old kitten and she did not push open the door like yours did, instead she must have died a horrible death in there. I try not to think about the last few minutes of my Bengal’s life because even as I write this, I’m crying. I miss Takarra so much and I know her death is my fault. What really gets me is that I turned around and looked to make sure both Siamese were safe on the bed still, but I never looked inside the dryer or checked to see where my baby Takarra was.

Now when I do laundry, I’m extra careful. I have since moved and both washer and dryer are in one room. There is a note on the door warning everyone to keep the door closed at ALL times and another note above the dryer with a picture of Takarra and a reminder to count cats after closing the dryer door but before starting it. All cats must be shut in my bedroom before anyone does laundry for any reason. The laundry room must also be locked when the dryer door is open. I do this to make sure if a cat were to get out, it couldn’t get in the laundry room. After adding clothes, the door to the dryer is closed, I unlock the door and count cats. When everyone is accounted for, then and only then, will I start the dryer. My husband says I am parinoid, but I couldn’t live with myself if this were to ever happen again. Takarra died 9 months ago, only last month did I finally allow a dryer to be in my house. Before that, I hung dried all clothing.
Chanda