By Tara McFarland

While working in a remote neighborhood in Marathon, a kind Samaritan noticed a small object in the road. Slowing his truck down, the object wasn’t moving, but the light brown spot was clearly visible against the dark asphalt. Many might have kept driving, but for one lucky cat the truck stopped and the driver exited the vehicle. Much to his surprise it was a tiny kitten, and he feared the kitten was deceased. He gently placed the little ball of fur into a box and drove him to our Marathon Campus. 

The tiny tabby cat was thin and cold, too weak to hold his little head up. Staff warmed him up, fed him a meal, provided fluids, made an appointment at a local veterinarian, and were excited to see the young kitten begin to perk up. However, staff also noticed that the kitten’s face started to change, as if he had been stung by a bee. His little features began to swell and his eyes started to close. Quickly he was rushed to the vet. 

Hydrocephalus is a condition in which spinal fluid accumulates in the head of an animal which puts pressure on the brain. It can be congenital and is typically seen in young dogs or cats. The pressure on the brain can cause severe complications, and usually death. Our veterinarian sent him home with a course of treatment and suspected the little cat might not survive. Perhaps it was this condition that caused him to be abandoned by his mother in the first place. 

One of our staff members took the tiny kitten home to care for him in his most critical hours understanding he might not survive. Day after day, night after night the kitten persevered and somehow, against all odds, survived! With his heart fully invested in the kitten we named Ringo, when he was healthy enough, it was his foster parent, one of our own staff, who adopted him! 

Raised by two dogs, Ringo is truly one of the pack! Ringo loves the shower, doesn’t mind wearing costumes, and even snuggles with his canine siblings in their dog crate! The fact that Ringo is alive and well is truly a miracle. His little life was saved by a good Samaritan, and that little life is now filled with love and happiness, thanks to his adopted family.  It’s not just vaccines and spay/neuter surgeries. The animals in our care often come with an assortment of health issues. Injuries, dental disease, allergies, bumps, lumps – you name it, we’ve probably seen it! If there is a chance at saving the life of an adoptable animal we spare no expense and never hold back our love for a shelter pet, even if it sometimes means  opening our own homes and hearts to an animal in need. There are so many ways you can be a part of our lifesaving mission. Donors help provide the funds necessary to treat animals like Ringo. Volunteers donate their time to show a shelter pet love and attention. Fosters take animals like Ringo home and keep them safe while they recover. If you’d like to join us and help our homeless pets in the Florida Keys, reach out to one of our Campuses for more information on how you can help! 

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