Animal Welfare United States Project #10423

Purple Paw-Helps Domestic Violence Victims & Pets

by Nuzzles & Co

Project Report | Nov 11, 2014
Your donations allow us to be patient

By Claire Desilets | Friends of Animals Utah, Purple Paw Coordinator

Your donations allowed us to be patient.

Several months ago, Friends of Animals Utah was called to pick up a cat at DV shelter in Utah. As with all pick-ups this event was sad but it was even more difficult than usual. The cat's mom (let's call her Mary), had just been released from hospital. She had been beaten severely. I was warned that the cat I was picking up (let's call her Snuggles) may have suffered some injuries too.

Mary was clearly still in physical pain and under the influence of pain meds. She cried as I took Snuggles away, she reassured Snuggles that they would be reunited soon. It was heart-wrenching. I admit it, I cried too.

Snuggles was examined by our veterinarian and was cleared from physical problems but she was depressed and very scared. Our caregivers took extra time to comfort and reassure her. Soon we found a foster home for her and there she thrived. She became the cat Mary knew and adored.

Mary called me almost daily at first for updates and reassurance. I would send her photos of a happy Snuggles. Her calls however gradually became less frequent and I also noticed a change in her spirit. Then one day she said something that shocked me. She asked that we find Snuggles a new home. She did not think she would be able to take her back, ever. My heart sank. I felt like we all failed Snuggles, this was not the way it was meant to be.

I told Mary "NO". Snuggles was happy and secure and so she could take all the time she needed to get better and reassess her situation. Months went by again, Mary still unsure if she could take Snuggles back. Slowly, Mary got stronger, especially when her abuser was sentenced to jail. She felt free and able to start life over again - with Snuggles.

I will be bringing bringing Snuggles to her in the next few days. I know Mary will thank me profusely for all that FAOU did for her and Snuggles. I will tell her that is is really thanks to you - our generous donors. You make it possible for us to be patient and make happy ending happen.

I'm sure I will cry again, tears of joy this time!

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