Precious Messiah arrived at our shelter at the end of February this year. When he came to us from the Community Cat Club, he was suffering from a pretty severe skin condition that required extensive medication. Not only that, but only a few days after his arrival, our staff discovered that the site of Messiah’s recent neuter surgery had become badly infected. His incision had ruptured, which caused bruising, bleeding and irritation at the site, and poor Messiah had to wear an e-collar to prevent him from bothering the injury for a long time.

Then, after a month with us while we monitored the infection, the staples in his incision site were somehow removed by accident while Messiah was in his kennel. This caused even more irritation for him, and he had to be rushed back and forth between animal care facilities for treatment and even more medication. It seemed like for all of the time Messiah spent at the shelter – over two months – there was always something to be concerned about, and as a result he had to be kept isolated in our Cat Holding area.

He was on a steady regimen of medications to help his wound heal, and towards the end of April, we deemed him well enough to go into foster care. But when it seemed he was finally on the mend, Messiah had to be rushed to the emergency clinic due to labored breathing caused by congestion. He was put on even more medication, and then had to stay in foster care while he recovered from yet another ailment.

Finally, during his time in foster, Messiah was able to have the sutures from his surgery wound fully and safely removed. He got over his congestion, and after two weeks, he returned to our shelter – where he was finally placed on the adoptions floor after more than two months with us! And only two days after that, he was adopted!

We knew he would be – during the entire two months and more of constant treatment, medications, recovery, and having to wear a cone or e-collar, Messiah’s spirit never once wavered and he constantly proved to us that he was the friendliest and most loving boy ever. All he ever wanted was to be held and cuddled, and we couldn’t wait to give him the opportunity to find his forever family once he was healed. We knew he was ready to get out of the shelter for good and spend his time relaxing in someone’s lap.

It didn’t take very long at all for that to come true! We’re so grateful to Messiah’s adopters, and every adopter who’s helped a cat like Messiah find a home after a long, arduous journey. We also couldn’t have done it without the assistance we received from groups like VEG and Compassion Vet Clinic, who were both integral in helping with Messiah’s treatment.

If it weren’t for our fosters, Messiah also wouldn’t have been able to get a much-needed break from the shelter while he was in recovery. Becoming a foster can be an incredibly rewarding experience, and provides the most help for sick or injured cats. If you’re interested in becoming a foster and helping one of our animals, please get in touch with our foster department and learn how you can get involved!