This Giving Tuesday we are focusing on the difference that medical care makes to the cats and dogs that come to us here at POA. This is the story of two cats whose lives couldn’t have started out any differently.
Barrister, the cat on the left, was found outside as a senior cat. Our TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return to Field) team was meeting at a law office in Hartford when they noticed an older cat who looked pretty rough, but was extremely friendly and affectionate. They could not leave him behind, so some calls were made and the cat, eventually named Barrister, became a Protectors of Animals cat. Barrister had ear infections and eye infections. He was too thin. He was so grateful for a soft bed, food and petting. He was also entropion. Entropion cats have eyelids that turn in slightly, meaning that their eyelashes continuously brush against their eyes. It is very irritating and cats constantly rub their eyes, leading to repeated infections. It is a condition that cats are usually born with, meaning that Barrister had spent his whole life feeling uncomfortable. But it is a condition that is easily treated with surgery. Because of amazing donors we had the money available to say yes to Barrister and to say yes to his surgery which cost over $500. After his recovery, Barrister was adopted. Finally, he was home! His new family adores him. Now named Buddy, they say adopting him was the best thing they ever did. They say that he is loving, gentle and playful. A truly grateful senior cat, out of pain and in from the cold, now living his best life.
Cadbury, the cat on the right, could not have had a different start. He came into Protectors of Animals with his mama and siblings from an overcrowding situation, at only a few weeks old. They were whisked off immediately to a foster home. Cadbury probably doesn’t remember a time where he wasn’t in at least some pain. He was born with problems with his patellas on both of his hind legs. This became more obvious as he grew. He couldn’t climb or run as easily as his litter mates. He sat awkwardly. He sometimes limped. Anti-inflammatories, pain medications, and cage rest were tried, without success. We got a surgical consult and it turned out that Cadbury needed surgery on both back legs to live a pain free life. But the surgery could not be scheduled until Cadbury finished growing. So Cadbury has been hanging out in his foster home, while his siblings and mom were adopted. He likes the other cats in the foster home and does fine with the dogs. He is loved by his foster family. But he is still waiting for his happily ever after to begin. His first surgery is scheduled for December. His second will likely take place six weeks later. Together these surgeries are expected to cost between $6,000- $7,400. And then… finally… Cadbury will be able to be adopted.
Cadbury doesn’t remember a time where he wasn’t safe, fed, and loved, while Barrister spent years outside. But they have more in common than they have differences. Both have congenital problems that lead to constant discomfort. Both can be made so much more comfortable with surgery. And because of donors like you we were able to say yes to that surgery. This Giving Tuesday, we are grateful for your continued support and we invite you to join us in the effort to provide stories of happily ever after for Barrister and Cadbury and so many animals like them. Let’s make dreams come true!