Rescue Tails / Gypsy, the three-legged cat

In June, a young woman contacted our Marathon Campus to learn about volunteer opportunities with our cats. After 13 years together, Kirrin lost her own beloved feline companion. Missing interacting with cats, she hoped to dote on our homeless cats in the “catio” until the time was right to bring a new forever feline home.

Having been left outside in Hurricane Irma by her family, Gypsy had suffered an injury to her left front leg during the storm. Her family returned to a destroyed home, and Gypsy was the only one of their colony of cats that survived the Hurricane. Unable to keep her, or stay in their damaged home, Gypsy was surrendered to our Marathon Campus. The sweet tabby cat was terribly shy and clearly in a lot of pain. What she had been through was nothing short of traumatic.

After three months of rest and plenty of love and care, it was time for an amputation of Gypsy’s injured leg. Alas, she was free from the burden of the damaged limb! Once healed, Gypsy learned to hop around easily on three legs. She felt freedom from the pain, and her confidence blossomed! This frightened and shy cat was suddenly the first to greet our staff in the morning. Standing up on her hind legs, her little nub from where her front arm was would wave excitedly for wet food! Gypsy even entered our Cat Pawsitive Pro program and learned to high five with her good arm! We shared her story on social media, and eventually this special cat caught the attention of Kirrin.

It had only been a couple of months since her companion’s passing, but Kirrin could no longer ignore Gypsy’s charm. Although seemingly not ready, it was clear that Gypsy was meant to be with her. In August, as the two of them sat together, Kirrin held Gypsy in her arms, just like she used to hold her own cat. Gypsy relished in the attention and affection and gently purred in her arms. With tears streaming down her face, Kirrin was ready and Gypsy was going home.

In the case of a cat like Gypsy, it took several months of medical care, including an amputation, before Gypsy was ready for a family. Although most animals that enter our shelter require routine tests, vaccinations, deworming, spay/neuters, microchipping and preventative treatment, many more require more thorough or extensive care or surgeries. The Florida Keys SPCA is a not-for-profit organization and takes on the financial responsibility of medically caring for all animals in our care. For this reason, we created Oscar’s Fund. Donations to this fund go specifically to pay for the medical care of sick or injured animals. If you’d like to help animals in need like Gypsy, please visit us at fkspca.org or e-mail Tammy Fox at [email protected].

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