Written by Becky Lyn Tegze, Executive Director
As rescuers, every day we encounter situations that push our limits as human beings. Some days, our hearts break, we cry as if they were our own, and we rescue. Other days, our hearts rage, we fume and curse everything that contributed to the problem, and we rescue.
But on very rare occasions, we get a plea that stops us in our tracks. Silence. Astonishment. Amazement. We just received that plea.
“Please is there anything Pets Alive can do to save four innocent kittens with bent, twisted and deformed legs at a kill shelter.”
Bellona
As I read through the email, I learned that four kittens with leg deformities had been swept up in a TNR (Trap Neuter Return) project on Long Island. The only option had been to put the kittens back out on the streets, where they would not survive and would most likely suffer horribly or be sent to the local shelter that was sadly a kill shelter.
I could hear the desperation in the writer’s email. She had been begging and pleading on social media and reaching out to everyone to try and save these kittens. I shared the email and pictures with the staff and the board of directors, and it wasn’t a matter of if Pets Alive could help but how fast could we get them here!
The day of their arrival everyone was excited and nervous and impatiently waiting for our four new charges. We had decided to name them Andra, Bellona, Demeter, and Drea which all mean strength and courage. Little did we know how very appropriate the names would be for these little girls!
Drea
About an hour before the girls were due to arrive here at Pets Alive, I got a message from the transporter saying she was running about an hour late and that one kitten had broken out of its carrier and then let the other kittens out of their carriers. But not to worry: Everyone was fine and lounging on top of their carriers as they were double crated (this means the cat carriers are placed inside a large wire dog crate for safe transport).
She laughed and was like, “They are such silly kittens.” My response was “WHAT?!” That confused the transporter, as she started to reassure me the kittens were all safe and not to worry…this happens all the time…that’s why they double crate. I responded, “Ah, I get that but these are four kittens with leg deformities. How were they able to do that?!” Which, of course, was met with silence on the line, as she was as stunned as I was. Now I really couldn’t wait to meet these special girls who were already showing that a little thing like deformed legs wasn’t going to stop them!
Andra
As the girls arrived, the entire staff came out to meet them and welcome them to the Pets Alive family. We were greeted by four of the sweetest and happiest kittens who were purring up a storm as we transferred them from their traveling crate into our quarantine area. We were so prepared to be sad for them. When we saw just how vibrant and full of life they were, we couldn’t help but smile and laugh along with them.
Demeter and Drea both have what can best be described as clubbed front legs. Demeter is actually the kitten that made the jail break out of her carrier and then helped her sisters escape their carriers. Bellona is a doll who looks like she is sitting crisscrossed and Andra’s one back leg looks almost like it was put on upside down and backwards. By the way: She loves to be held like a baby.
Demeter aka Houdini
Andra, Bellona, Demeter and Drea are all now safe and settling in at Pets Alive. They will be going to see our vet and an orthopedic vet very soon to see if or what can be done to help them. Even if nothing can be done medically, they will never face uncertainty when it comes to love and care ever again. And in the case of Demeter, our little Houdini, we’re not quite sure she needs help in planning future breakouts. For now, they are loved, safe and being spoiled here at Pets Alive.
Pets Alive exists because of situations like this. We exist to save the lives of those who have no other option. Please consider making a generous gift to Pets Alive to help us continue this work. You, the supporters, are the ones who make these outcomes possible. Without you and your generosity, we could not save the Andras, Bellonas, Demeters, and Dreas who need us the most.