When animal rescue workers found a cat wandering around Naples, Florida last month without a collar, they assumed it was a stray like any other. But after being taken back to the Naples Cat Alliance and examined, shelter workers discovered that this poor animal was better off living on the streets than with his last owner.

They could tell from the purple markings on his feet and forehead that he had lived in an abusive home.

As rescue worker Megan Sorbara explained, these bizarre markings are the sign of something very dark.

"Dog fighters use markers to color the white parts of cats and kittens so they can bet on which color will die first," she explained in a Facebook post. "This is cruelty at its worst."

Luckily this cat, who was named Mr. Purple Paws, seems totally fine. Although Sorbara says his previous owners probably didn't treat him well, it seems like he escaped before he could be seriously abused. Still, Mr. Purple Paws' treatment has shaken her.

"I consider myself pretty hardened to a lot of stuff, I have dealt with a lot of injured, emaciated, neglected and abused animals," she said, "but this one really got to me."

Click the next page to learn about other cats like Mr. Purple paws, and how you can help.

Last year, a pair of kittens named Smurf and Shrek from the UK made headlines after they were discovered with permanent marker ink on their fur. The rescue center in West Yorkshire wasn't able to track down their owners, but it's possible they were also owned by dog fighters. In this case, the unlucky pair also suffered health problems from the toxic paint, but were recovering with help from the center's staff.

Another "Smurf" was discovered abandoned in California last year. Unlike Mr. Purple Paws, this blue-painted cat only escaped after he'd been mistreated by his owners.

Thankfully, Smurf is fully recovered now and sharing a home with Wanda, another abused kitten.

Sadly, stories about cats like Mr. Purple Paws being used for "sport" by abusive owners are probably more common than we realize.

If you want to help keep animals safe, you can donate to a charity like the Humane Association or the ASPCA. Volunteering or supporting your local animal shelter is also a good idea.

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