A day for Hope

Tracy, a dedicated volunteer with Fur Kids Foundation, was traveling to work the morning of August 25 when he saw a kitten on the side of the road—yes, it’s Wyoming, and this isn’t an uncommon site, unfortunately. 

Seconds later, as he continued along, he saw another. Realizing that this was not a coincidence, he decided that he’d see if the kittens were alive, or respectfully remove them from the side of the road. One little white kitten was alive. Her piercing blue eyes peering up at Tracy, this kitten clung to life as Tracy turned his truck around and raced into Red Hills Veterinary Hospital. 

Hope

Dr. G assessed the kitten, and believes her to be approximately 8-12 weeks old. This little girl has a broken leg and her jaw is severely damaged along with other injuries and a possible concussion. Dr. G believes the kitten was thrown from a car. 

Thrown. From. A. Car. 

My stomach turns as I see those words used to describe this kitten’s injuries. I cannot tell you what goes through a person’s mind when they decide that an unwanted kitten should be thrown from a car. I don’t even throw trash or half-eaten food from my car because I don’t litter, and I don’t want to attract animals to come onto the road to chance getting hit or cause a wreck that could kill them, or the people in the car that hit them. But to throw a life out of a car window? I am angry.

Facing surgeries, a leg amputation, a feeding tube for four-eight weeks, and then some reconstruction on her jaw so she can eat on her own, Tracy and his wife, Amber, a Fur Kids Foundation board member, have decided to give this white kitten a chance at life. They have named her Hope. I have thought about Hope all day long, and my thoughts are with Tracy and Amber. But I have my own hope to discuss on this blog. 

1. I hope that if you have an unwanted cat, or kittens, that you do not do what this individual did. Please, please contact a rescue in the area. You can find a list of organizations in Campbell County and surrounding areas on our Adoption Resources page.
   
2. I hope that if you ever witness such an act of cruelty, you call Animal Control at 307.686.5249 and give them a description of the car (make, model, color) and hopefully license plate number. This type of cruelty has no place in our community. No place. 
   
3. I hope that if you have cats, you spay or neuter them to keep them healthy, and to keep unwanted cats off the street. The average number of litters a fertile cat produces is one to two a year; the average number of kittens is four to six per litter. So, in one year, one cat can produce four to 12 kittens; and those kittens repeat the cycle—over and over. On October 10, 11 and 12, the City of Gillette / Campbell County Animal Shelter is hosting a low cost spay/neuter clinic—cost is $42 for cats and $60 for dogs. You do have to schedule an appointment. Please call 307.686.5249, Monday through Friday from 1-6 pm and on Saturdays from 11 am-3 pm. 
   

I also hope that you consider helping Amber and Tracy with Hope. If you’re interested, you can donate at Red Hills Veterinary Hospital, 2007 S. Douglas Highway, or contact them at 307.696.2525 or info@redhillsvet.com. Please reference Hope when you leave your donation. 

Hope is a very lucky little kitten, and it is my hope we show her how much love there really is out there in this world. 

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**************UPDATE**************

August 26: This was posted on Facebook today around 5 pm from Amber Heim:

Hope made it through surgery purrrfectly! She is now resting and will probably be able to come home Thursday. Her jaw wasn't as fractured as it appeared so we don't have a feeding tube! Her leg injury was worse than we thought as it caused bruising in her chest cavity, but that will heal on its own. The amputation couldn't have gone any better and Red Hills staff are just as excited as we are about her progress and will to live. 

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**************UPDATE**************

August 28: Hope is in her new home with Amber and Tracy! And, another bonus: all of her veterinary bills are paid! A special thank you to everyone who donated at Red Hills. This was posted today on Facebook: 

Hope has defied all the odds and just continues to surprise us. She was walking today! She is on kitty morphine so she is in and out, but we want her little body to rest and heal quickly. Thank you to all of her supporters, she can't wait to meet you! 

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**************UPDATE**************

January 31, 2015: Hope is doing amazing! Check out the update from her parent's Facebook page:

A lot of people have been asking how hope is doing.... She's doing great. Growing fast and as you can see. The little lady loves her groceries! Girls gotta eat!!! She definitely does not recognize any of her disabilities and runs around and plays like any other cat! I was going to say like any other ordinary cat, but she is beyond ordinary. She has a great personality, very affectionate and loving. Other than eating she enjoys playing with the dogs and cats, sleeping and watching anything that moves. Like trees, leaves, birds toys and especially the computer mouse pointer and screen saver! Having her small issues and figuring her slight problems out. She's come a long way to say the least! She wouldn't be who she is or able to live this great life without everyone who helped her and all of her fans and supporters. Continued thanks to all her heroes! 

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If you would like to help Fur Kids Foundation continue to help families with animals, please consider making a tax-deductible donation. The money stays in Campbell County, Wyoming and helps families during a time when they may not be able to afford adequate veterinary care. 

Check out more Success Stories.