Monday, June 22, 2009

A Tug on the Heartstrings

Monday morning I rose early and leashed up Dexter for a walk. We hadn't gone far when I spied an animal, huddled against a wall. It was a kitten, and I could tell right away that something was wrong. At first I thought it had an e-collar on. But when I looked closer I realized I was wrong.

I tied Dexter up tight to a metal rail and told him to stay while I went to scoop up the kitten. It didn't make a fuss or move a bit. The poor thing had a plastic lid around its neck from a McDonald's McFlurry. I wrapped the kitten in the bottom of my shirt, untied Dexter and took the poor beast home.

With Dexter in the crate, we took a closer look at the kitten. It was crawling with ants, had raw open wounds and feces matted its fur. But oh! It was still such a sweet little animal with lovely tortoiseshell coloring and a pretty little face. I took a couple of pictures which I will post at the bottom of this message. Please don't look if you are squeamish.

So we cut off the nasty plastic lid, and I managed to get a bit of milk in the kitten. I had to dab the milk into its mouth until it swallowed. Once it got that first taste it licked the milk off my fingers and then took some from turkey baster. I was so pleased to hear that gulping sound of a baby drinking milk.

My heart just went out to the little critter and I would have loved nothing more than to keep it and nurse it back to health. But, as I wrote yesterday, we live in a loud and busy house which I didn't think would be a good environment for a convalescent kitten. Plus, there is the dog. Would you trust this face with a sick kitten?

I called up London Animal Care Center and Jim brought the kitten in first thing this morning. I'll be calling back in a few days to see how my little friend is doing. I have just two appeals. Please, if you are thinking of getting a pet, please consider if a rescued animal would be right for you. And second, please, please! dispose of your garbage. I'm seriously thinking of sending this kitten's pictures to McDonalds.

And now the kitten pictures. Don't go further if you don't like the sight of blood or open wounds.



************************************************************************************


This little one has such a sweet face.


My best guess is that the kitten stuck its head into the cup to lick up the ice cream, but couldn't get its head out again.

In an effort to remove the lid, the kitten scraped the inside of its neck raw. This picture was taken between milk feedings. Just look at those trusting eyes!


10 comments:

  1. Oh, that poor sweet thing. So lucky you found it and cared enough to help.

    That pic of your dog cracks me up. So Hooch-like!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Way to go L. I hope the kitten survives and finds a good home.

    I try to remember to cut lids like that - and the holders of 6 packs and large juice bottles - with scissors before putting in the garbage so that nothing can get stuck in them.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The poor little darling. I'm glad it's going to get some help now. It's a very beautiful cat.

    I wish more people would adopt rescue animals. My rescued cats aren't the most trusting things in the world sometimes, but they appreciate being loved and cared for way more than any of the animals I got new.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Bless your heart Laurie! The kitty was lucky to have an angel like you come to its rescue. My daughter and her friends found an even smaller kitty the other night - she was in very bad shape. Luckily the other family was able to keep it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Bless you for helping. I foster cats for Animlert and I've heard and seen some stuff too that is pretty sad.

    Keep in touch with Animal Care - unfortunately they have been known to put animals down instead of treating them often becuase of the cost. If you keep calling to show your interest and involvement I'd say they'd be less likely to euthenize.

    ReplyDelete
  6. The first kitten I rescued was a torty who'd gotten trapped in a dumpster. I climbed in and dug her out and took her to the vet and we kept her. She lived well into her teens with my parents and was a strange, fussy, and precious cat.

    I've rescued a lot of cats since and kept them for as long as they lasted. They're usually the odd ducks (you know what I mean) and real treasures.

    I'm so glad you were there when that kitten needed you. Hope kitty gets a good home.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh dear. Poor thing!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh my goodness! Poor thing. Hopefully it will recover completely.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Do you know if this kitty is still available for adoption? I checked the petfinder site and they have a young female torti, but no picture.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I foster cats and kittens for Animalert and they have many wonderful cats and kittens for adoption. You can view photos on their web site at: http://www.animalert.ca/cats.shtml

    ReplyDelete