Shelter works to get cat back on her feet again
The staff and volunteers at Friends of Animals in Cloquet knew something was not quite right when a stray cat was brought in to the shelter late one afternoon recently.By: Wendy Johnson, Pine Journal
- Que
The staff and volunteers at Friends of Animals in Cloquet knew something was not quite right when a stray cat was brought in to the shelter late one afternoon recently. She couldn’t put weight on one of her front legs and her gait was off kilter. The cat, estimated to be approximately one year old, was housed overnight until the shelter veterinarian could examine her.
“When she was examined, the vet felt the cat needed immediate medical attention,” related Karen Brummer, FOA executive director.
Subsequent X-rays revealed that both the cat’s front elbows had been broken and, though one of them had started to heal on its own, the other had not, preventing the cat from bearing weight on it.
“We had to make a decision how to move ahead,” said Brummer, explaining that since the cat was young and has what she described as “a wonderful disposition,” they felt every effort should be made to save her.
The options were to either amputate the leg or undergo surgery to put a metal pin in the cat’s elbow. Shelter staff, along with the veterinarian, felt the second option would give the young cat a better chance at an optimal quality of life, though the surgery was an expensive procedure to undergo.
“Having endured what she had already been through,” said Brummer, “she had shown us that she’s not only very sweet but quite a trooper as well.”
They decided to go ahead with the surgery, and last week the cat, which they named “Que,” had the surgery to insert the pin.
Brummer said since the surgery, Que is already bearing weight on the leg and is showing every indication of recovering.
Now, the shelter is seeking donations to help defray the approximately $1,100 cost of Que’s medical procedure, since it was outside the regular budget of the shelter. Brummer said Que is also seeking a loving new home.
“Though she is still on antibiotics, she’s recovering well,” said Brummer, “but we believe her recovery would be even better in a quiet home, outside the stressful environment of the shelter.”
Anyone willing to donate to help defray the cost of Que’s surgery is encouraged to send or drop off a donation to Friends of Animals, 1418 Highway 33 S., Cloquet, MN 55720, or make an online donation by going through the website at www.foaonline.org.
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