By Dr. Ester Boals | Veterinarian
Do you have a trusted friend or family member that you can rely on in times of need? It makes all the difference to know that when hard times arise, someone is looking out for you.
Just like us, animals need people they can rely on.
Recently, I met three cats who desperately needed the comfort and safety of trusted people. Thanks to you, they received the urgent care they needed at Oregon Humane’s Salem campus.
Jinx and her two kittens, Raisin and Oatmeal, arrived in dire condition—each of their eyes painfully swollen and infected. It took our team by surprise, as it was quite unusual for an entire family of felines to be experiencing the same debilitating infection.
Despite being in terrible pain and unable to see, what immediately struck me was how friendly and trusting Jinx was. I could tell that this sweet mama cat was in search of a reliable support system that would finally provide care for her and her tiny babies.
Our medical team promptly began triaging the cats to make a plan for their care. Because of your generosity, our team had all the resources and supplies we needed to jump into action.
A closer examination revealed that all three cats had malformed eyes— hinting at a possible genetic disorder shared between the family. To relieve Jinx and her kittens of their ongoing pain, our team decided to move forward with surgery to remove their deeply unhealthy eyes.
This was not a decision we made lightly. However, we knew that painful infections would continue to plague these kitties unless the malformed eyes were removed. So, we scheduled all three cats for surgery. Oatmeal’s condition was slightly less severe, and she needed only one eye removed—leaving just one eye among the three cats.
Almost immediately after surgery, Jinx seemed lighter— leaning into staff for affection and showering our team in thankful purrs. Thanks to your compassion, the heavy burden of her pain had been lifted.
All three of the cats quickly acclimated to life without eyesight. Oatmeal even took on the role of guide for her sister Raisin—the two kittens bonding together for comfort and support as they navigated the world without their vision.
What really warms my heart is that they each found devoted new families. Jinx went home with an adopter well versed in caring for blind animals, and today she lives alongside her blind beagle brother. The foreverbonded duo, Raisin and Oatmeal, went home together, and Oatmeal continues to act as a guide for Raisin.
This vulnerable little family arrived in crisis and without stability or support. Today, because of you, they have found special people that they can rely on.
Animals arrive every day in need of robust medical care and treatment, and your continued support ensures that Oregon Humane is a place that animals can depend on. Will you make a life-changing gift today? With your support, more vulnerable animals can get the care they need.
Links:
By Erika Sims | Feline Behavior Modification Manager
By Tyler Jeffe | Foster Specialist
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