Rescue Tail / Sometimes They Find Us
By Tara McFarland
At the end of another long, rewarding day at our Marathon campus, as we closed and latched the final gate and stepped out to the sidewalk, waiting to cross Aviation Boulevard to our cars, the faintest meow could be heard behind us. It was so faint, in fact, we looked at one another with a “did you hear that?” We waited silently for another moment or two unsure if, with all the road traffic, walkers, bikers and joggers passing by, whether it truly was the soft meow of a cat, or a misinterpretation of any of the sounds surrounding us. We waited and waited, and without hearing another peep, headed home for the day.
Two days later, while engaging in one of our favorite activities, dog walking and socialization, there it was again. The faintest meow coming from the thick bushes near the shelter. Turning around, securing our shelter dog in a yard, we set forth into the overgrown shrubs and trees, unsure of what we would find.
Within the thicket there was a beautiful Calico cat. Her long orange and black fur heavily matted tightly to her skin. Sticks, leaves and prickly burrs protruded from the mats. Her face, wet with drool and her eyes hardened in pain. It was clear from her appearance she had been on her own for quite some time calling for help. Without a notch or tip, and a cautious, but friendly demeanor, it was notable that she was not a community cat, but more likely, someone’s lost or abandoned companion.
Our compassionate staff slowly and carefully began cutting, trimming and shaving the worst of the mats along her frail and thin body. With her legs deeply tangled and tight to the skin, the rest would have to be removed by a local Veterinarian so she could be comfortably sedated. The drool and smells exuding from her mouth were an indication of severe dental disease, requiring a complete dental for her comfort and health.
We nicknamed her Forrest, and as the name stuck, she’s grown more comfortable and confident in our care. She patiently awaits her veterinary visits, check-ups, grooms and dentals, and has made herself quite comfortable now that she’s back inside and safe within our shelter walls. Although she is not yet entirely healed physically from her ordeal, watching her spirit heal, while gaining her trust and affection has already been an honor to experience.
Forrest is not yet ready for adoption, but she is one of our proud available sponsorship pets. Your tax deductible monthly $25 donation will help support her care until it’s time for her to find her furrever family. With your sponsorship, you’ll receive a welcome letter to our Pet Sponsorship program detailing her information, a photo of your sponsored pet and your official sponsorship certificate, a holiday card from your pet, an emailed adoption update if your pet finds its furever home and an invitation to join us on Sponsor Day. You can sponsor Forrest by visiting her sponsorship page at https://fkspca.org/donate/sponsor-a-pet/sponsor-forest/ or call our Marathon Campus at 305-743-4800 for more on helping, or one day adopting Forrest.
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