ADOPTION PENDING!!!

This is Darwin. He is three years old. He was a happy boy, living a good life in the country, until early April 2012 when he couldn’t outrun a vehicle speeding down a rural side road. His front leg snapped in two. He also had a road rash on his belly.

Darwin hobbled out of the road and hid in a shelter in the yard of the place he felt most safe. For two years, the people there put out food for the local wandering kitties and he knew that they cared about him, especially the little boy that adopted Darwin’s littermate. He rested for a few days in the shelter until he felt strong enough to satisfy his cravings for food and water. He then hopped with his lifeless, swollen, and matted leg to the doorstep of the good people.

The nice lady came to the door and saw him. She saw fur, blood, dirt, and bones. Darwin went past her to the food and water she had inside. After he satisfied his starvation, he rested. Something had to be done for this little guy. He needed a doctor. So, the nice lady packed up the poor kitty and off to the vet they went.

The veterinarian had only done an amputation like this once before. It had to be done again. While he was under anesthesia, it wasn’t a bad idea to have this guy neutered and vaccinated from Rabies. The nice lady agreed and paid for expenses. Never mind that she was a single mom with two jobs. Darwin needed this care. When it was all done, she brought Darwin back to her house, along with his medicine for pain, some antibiotics, and a fancy collar to keep him from biting at the dozens and dozens of stitches.

Two days later, the nice lady knew that Darwin needed a home, a home where he would always be loved and safe. She and her son loved him very much, but Darwin would always need special care. So, she decided that she loved him enough to let him go to a “forever home”. She called Pets-4-Pets Cat Rescue.

After meeting this strong and determined boy, the Rescue thought that Darwin would do well and could be adopted. He was able to get around on his three legs, was interested in food, and cared enough about his future to be wary of strangers. They made plans to pick up Darwin after his follow-up with the veterinarian. The follow-up went well and the nice lady called Pets-4-Pets to make arrangements to pick up Darwin.

At his foster home, Darwin continued to do well. He no longer needed pain medicine, finished all his antibiotics without a fight, and had an excellent appetite. His foster mom took him to the new veterinarian to remove his stitches, test him for FIV, FeLV, and Heartworm (negative – THANK GOD), give him a distemper shot, and microchip him. He was now medically ready to go to a new home.

Darwin is a survivor. He is a strong, healthy, and happy boy.

UPDATE (10/9/2013):
Darwin has learned how to live happily indoors and enjoys playing with his other foster kitty friends. He still has a good appetite and has learned to jump up and down without pain. Although he will never be a "lap cat" (few cats really are), he has learned to appreciate the humans who care for him and shows his affection...on his terms. Incredibly, he is a very tidy kitty in the litterbox, considering he is missing a front leg. He loves treats and is polite about eating with others. He would make a wonderful and inspirational companion.