Feline shot twice, loses leg, seeks new home
MANITOULIN—The folks at Manitoulin Pet Rescue (MPR) have no shortage of beautiful animals needing forever homes, but one little ginger cat has tugged especially hard at the heartstrings of those who have had the pleasure of knowing her and they hope to find her a special family.
The MPR group received a phone call on May 24 about a ginger cat in the Tehkummah area that appeared to be badly injured, perhaps by a wild animal, Kathy Jewell, MPR volunteer told The Expositor. The concerned animal lover set up a live trap and captured the hurt feline. She was immediately brought to the vet for medical attention.
When examined by Island Animal Hospital (IAH) it became apparent that the cat had not been attacked by another animal, but had been shot twice with a .22 calibre rifle.
“One bullet went straight through her torso, while a second bullet shattered her femur and became lodged,” a post on the MPR Facebook site shares. “The fact that she survived and was showing up daily to eat by the person watching over her is remarkable.”
“The vets at the IAH let her settle in and build up her strength for a couple of days before proceeding with a very lengthy surgery,” the post continues. “Not only did Gabby’s hind leg need to be amputated but she needed exploratory surgery of the abdomen to ensure that she was not full of infection. Luckily for her, the stars aligned and Gabby was spayed during the same surgery.”
Ms. Jewell set about naming this plucky feline and knew it needed to be special, and so she was named for Gabby Giffords, the former US politician who survived an assassination attempt on January 8, 2011. This remarkable woman was shot point blank through the head and, not unlike Gabby, it is nothing short of a miracle that she survived.
Having three legs doesn’t slow this kitty down and she is finally ready for a home. MPR says she is still learning to trust people, but when picked up she is a “purring machine” and will never squirm to be put down. Gabby loves the company of other cats but has not been tested with dogs. She loves pets and enjoys head butting her human caretakers.
MPR is looking for a quiet home for Gabby, one where she will have help overcoming her insecurities and someone who will love her for who she is. If you think you are this person or family, please contact Ms. Jewell at 705-377-4121 or leave a personal message. Gabby’s adoption fee is $300. She is spayed and up to date on her vaccinations.
“This is a good news story because, through it all, she’s come out on top,” Ms. Jewell told The Expositor. “She’s a special cat in need of a special home.”
Anyone wishing to contribute to Gabby’s medical bills can etransfer a donation to jewell59@
amtelecom.net, send a cheque made payable to Manitoulin Pet Rescue PO Box 119 Mindemoya ON P0P 1S0 or stop by Kat’s Pet Supplies in Mindemoya.
All donations over $20 will be issued a tax receipt at the end of the taxation year.
We’re rooting for you, Gabby!
