LEXI

DOB October 2009

 After six years of volunteering for animal rescues, I thought I had seen it all. I have fostered cats with BB pellets in their legs and infected bite wounds in their neck; cats from hoarding situations who had polyps growing out of their ears and whose paws were burned from standing in their own urine for so long; cats who were almost hairless from fleas; a blind, 4-paw declawed cat who was dumped at a high kill shelter by her owner of 8 years; and cats who had been so traumatized by people that they panic every time I get close. But last week, I realized that there was one thing I had never seen before and never wish to see again: the person who did this to a helpless animal. Instead of treating Lexi for fleas – a problem that is easily fixable with a $10 medication that is available at any pet store – her family put her outside and obviously neglected to provide her with food or water.

Luckily, Lexi was rescued by a concerned relative who, without a doubt, saved her life. When Lexi made it to Pet Refuge, she was emaciated (she weighed in at 5.5 pounds – 9 pounds would probably be a healthy weight for her), was so severely dehydrated she could not even urinate, and was anemic from a flea infestation. She had been without food for so long, her stomach could not even handle small amounts of food. After several days on an IV catheter, Lexi is back home with me and slowly recovering from her ordeal. Yet despite everything she has been through, Lexi has not lost her faith in humanity. She is sweet, cuddly, talkative and wants nothing more than to sit in my lap and get endless attention. It is painful to pet her emaciated body, but she clearly longs for human touch.

I am thankful that Lexi is back with me and that she is clearly ready to move on and get past the neglect she has suffered. It will certainly be a while before Lexi will be available for adoption. If you would like help Lexi in the meantime, please consider making a donation in her name or you can donate some of her favorite food: Iams ProActive Health Adult Digestive Care (in the pink bag). (Christina)

Update (January 8, 2012):

During her first 5 weeks in her foster home, Lexi has gained a truly impressive 3.3 pounds (=60% of her body weight)! She’s still too skinny at 8.8 pounds, but she is definitely gaining her strength back and she is looking great.  

Click here to sponsor Lexi in our Sponsor-A-Pet Program.

Click here to sponsor Bocelli in our Sponsor-A-Pet Program until he finds his forever home  

Leonardo

DOB January 2006

Looking for an ornery cat with lots of personality? Then Leonardo is the cat for you! This gorgeous Maine Coon loves attention - but on his own terms. He's been known to nip your ankles to get your full attention and dart out the door when you're not watching. Leonardo needs a family with a good sense of humor that will put up with his quirks. And he would do best in a home without small children.

Leonardo was found as a stray by another shelter. One of his rear paws must have been caught in a trap at one time and was causing him some pain. To alleviate the pain, our vet decided to amputate the toes on that paw.  He can run, jump and do everything a normal cat can do. And he loves to play with kitty toys and makes little chirping noises when you call his name. (Linda)

BRISTOL and ADRIAN

Bristol (est. DOB July 2010) and Adrian came in together. At first we thought they were siblings because they are so attached to each other. But it turns out Adrian is older, so they might be a mother-daughter pair. They are definitely related and very close.

Adrian came in with an infected mouth and her teeth were so bad that all of them had to be removed. Because she is older and was in poor shape she had difficulties during surgery and experienced a rare reaction to the anesthesia. This reaction was similar to a stroke. For a while we were very concerned about Adrian. Luckily, Adrian not only had the help of the caring volunteers at Pet Refuge but she had the love and care of Bristol too. We made sure that the two were together as often as possible while Adrian was recovering in the Infirmary. She is so much better now that she is with Bristol in the Small Cat Room at the Pet Refuge shelter. It would be wonderful if these two ladies would be able to find a loving home where they could stay together.

UPDATE: Adrian was recently diagnosed with diabetes. Please consider sponsoring her (and her best friend in the world, Bristol) while we are adjusting her medication and ding some further testing.

Click here to sponsor Adrian in our Sponsor-A-Pet Program until she finds her forever home  

MARCELLA

DOB September 2010

Despite a whole number of medical problems, little Marcella could not be any sweeter or more loving. Marcella was originally brought into Pet Refuge after she was found walking down a sidewalk, covered in urine and feces. Her poor little bottom was so swollen and infected, we couldn’t even determine if she was a boy or a girl. Our vet determined that Marcella was born with male and female reproductive systems and needed reconstructive surgery. In addition, she suffers from an atomic bladder and atomic colon, which means that she has very little control over her bladder and colon. Unfortunately, there is no surgery available to correct this condition, but Marcella is on daily medication and we are hoping that she will develop more muscle tone in her bladder and colon as she grows older.