Save Sick, Injured and Abused Homeless Pets!

When the badly injured stray cat crawled under a family's house, he probably figured it would be his final resting place.

Little did he know that — thanks to the family, a local rescue group, a dedicated foster, and a Petfinder Foundation grant — his whole life was about to change.

"A local family contacted us when they saw a cat crawling under their deck for protection, clearly very injured," says Sandra Schaefer, Financial Coordinator at Arthur Animal Rescue in Ontario.

"They brought him food, water, and a blanket to keep him warm and saw the severity of his injuries. They immediately contacted us and Devon, our adoptions coordinator, dropped everything and drove over to pick him up."

Devon says: "I acted quickly, getting him into the carrier and starting the trip to our veterinary coordinator’s home. The drive was long, and I had to pull over several times due to the overwhelming smell from his infection.

"When the vet asked for a name, I immediately blurted out Swiftie — a nod to my 'Reputation' as a Taylor Swift fan — even though we didn’t yet know if he was a boy or girl."

"Swiftie was immediately transported to the Animal Hospital of North Fergus, where he underwent emergency surgery to amputate his back leg," Schaefer says.

"It was apparent he had been mauled by an animal days earlier, with his back leg taking the most damage and sepsis setting in." A Petfinder Foundation grant helped cover his treatment.

Swiftie's surgery was difficult, but "upon his discharge from the clinic, he went back to Devon's home to recover and soak in all the love and treats he could ever want," Schaefer says.

Devon adds: "He followed me like a shadow, curled up beside me for naps, and gave me that look — the kind that said he knew I had saved his life. It didn’t take long for me to realize that he was home for good."

Today, "Swiftie hops around with more agility than most four-legged cats," Devon says. "He’s a determined hunter, convinced that bread, pizza pockets, or any unattended snack is fair game.

"He’s also the sweetest companion — bonded with our resident cat Samuel L. Catson, buddies with our goofy golden retriever Cooper, and a welcoming foster brother to every kitten who comes through our home."

"Swiftie doesn’t let his past trauma define him," Devon says. "He may have lost a leg, but he gained a forever family who adores him — and 'we are never, ever, ever' letting him go."

Your support makes it possible for us to help Swiftie and thousands of other pets in need. Your gift will save more pets like him.

Thank you for all that you do to help homeless pets,

Links:

• Learn more about the Petfinder Foundation

Thank you for supporting the Petfinder Foundation's Emergency Medical Fund! Thousands of pets have survived life-threatening injuries and illnesses and gone on to find loving, forever homes thanks to donors like you.

That includes pets like Polar Bear, a husky pup who fell desperately ill with pneumonia at only 3 weeks old.

Polar Bear survived thanks to our Emergency Medical Grant to Virginia's Furever Home Animal Rescue. Here, the group's president, Christina Carrion, tells his story:

"The grant money was used to help 3-week-old Polar Bear while he was hospitalized with pneumonia caused by mycoplasma. He received the critical care he urgently needed — care that ultimately saved his life. Polar Bear would not be here today without the emergency treatment he received and the support of Petfinder Foundation’s Emergency Medical Grant. We are incredibly grateful.

"On Feb. 13, a husky mama gave birth to five puppies at the Prince George’s County Animal Shelter. A week later, we welcomed the family into our rescue. But soon after, each of them began falling seriously ill, one by one requiring emergency medical care.

"While the others began to recover with treatment, one pup, Polar Bear, took a turn for the worse. He was feverish, vomiting, and completely listless. He was rushed back to the ER, where he was placed on oxygen and a feeding tube after being diagnosed with pneumonia. Without this urgent medical intervention, Polar Bear would not have survived.

"Today, five months later, Polar Bear, now named Cash, is living his best life in a loving forever home. He enjoys playtime, cuddles, and even reunions with his littermates. Thanks to timely medical care and the support of the Petfinder Foundation’s Emergency Medical Grant, Cash got his second chance."

Thank you for helping pets like him and many others get the care they need so that they can find the forever homes they deserve.

Links:

• Learn more about the Petfinder Foundation