Most of the cats and kittens that come to Furry Friends just need routine medical care, which can still cost from $200 to $500 per kitty. But then there are the handful of other cats that need a lot more care. For 2021 we had to perform several eye removals, a couple amputations, many dental procedures and more. We have spent about $126,000 on medical for 2021 alone. Here is a story about one kitty that is currently going through a lot.

Hunter came to us as an injured stray that was most likely dumped on someone’s property. He was in very poor shape. He had teeth broken off and the roots exposed, sores and cuts all over his feet, dehydrated, and very scared. After he was healed enough for his dental and neuter he ended up having an after neuter complication (which can happen when cats are too active after surgery) and he had to have another surgery to remove some infected tissues called a scrotal ablation. His dental surgery location also wasn’t healing like it should so at the same time he had to have some sutures added. This poor guy just couldn’t seem to catch a break; his body was fighting hard against him and not allowing him to heal like he should! Currently he is at a foster who is making sure he is recovering properly and he gets to have all his stitches out on Christmas day! He is in good spirits and loves to be held and rocked like a big 16lb baby. He will be looking for his forever home after the holidays. If you would like to donate to his care you can go to https://furryfriendswa.org/donate/ and click donate or send a PayPal to information@furryfriendswa.org.

Furry Friends, founded in 1999, is a Vancouver, WA, 501(c)(3) non-profit, no-kill cat rescue and adoption organization. We strive to help cats in the Vancouver-Portland Metropolitan and surrounding area receive the medical services and companionship they need. Furry Friends is a volunteer run organization. Our Mission is to rescue abused, abandoned or otherwise homeless cats and house them in a safe, healthy and socialized environment until we find new “forever homes” for them. Furry Friends is funded by both individual and corporate donations; and as a 501(c)(3), non-profit, donations are tax deductible.

 

*Although we don’t know 100% if Hunter was dumped it seems likely. Jenn Hutchman wrote this for all the dumped cats like him. Maybe one day people will realize this is not a solution to re-homing your pet.*

I got a new family when I was a kitten
They spent time with me all day
They fed me and loved me
And they really loved to play

They gave me a blue collar
And gave me a name
They said no matter what happens
They would love me the same

I was someone’s world 6 months ago
They let me sleep on their warm bed
Then something changed
And I was just too much they said.

They couldn’t find someone to take me
I still don’t understand what I did wrong
So they put me outside somewhere new
On my own, I won’t survive for long

They think someone will take me in
But some people think I’m a burden too
I have to try to survive with no skills
And all I want is to be with you.

I’m too scared to find food
So I’m losing weight and am always hungry
My fur is starting to get matted from the rain
Why didn’t you want me?

I don’t trust people now
I run when they set out the cage with food at one end
I’m not mean, I promise
I just don’t know who’s my friend

I’ve broken a tooth, tore my ear
And got cuts all over my feet
Another animal bit me on my hind leg
Unlike me, some out here are not sweet.

I’m always sick and in pain
I can’t get healthy and well out here
I’m going to go into that cage
I can barely survive from fear

By the time I got to the shelter
I was barely hanging on
They weren’t sure I would make it
But they got me healthy and strong

They said I was a good boy
And they also couldn’t understand why
Why people leave cats like me
I think I made them cry

They said they would take care of me
As they patted my head
They would find me a home
One with a warm bed.

*Dumping your pets is not a solution*

We would like to thank Jenn Hutchman for writing this. She has been volunteering with Furry Friends for a couple years and has been an amazing contribution to our team. She has fostered over 100 cats and kittens so far for Furry Friends, and not just the easy ones. She has fostered several bottle baby kittens that require feeding every two hours and has taken on some of the difficult medical cases. She also handles community outreach such as emails/voicemails and does the adoption and cat intake coordination as well as a number of other tasks including fundraising. For 2021 she put in about 1500 volunteer hours for Furry Friends. We are so grateful for all she does.