Some might be familiar with the CATS resale shop in Westwood, the store where customers are greeted by a number of cats awaiting adoption. There is much more to CATS than the store: there is a network of volunteers who helped us with an unfortunate kitty who found his way to our door.
A beautiful gray-and-white cat watched us from a field across the street for a week before venturing into our yard. “Porsche” wanted to come inside but we worried about all the problems a stray cat might bring, especially since we have a blind rabbit. A few vets warned against it. We made many calls trying to find Porsche’s owner, and when that failed, decided to get Porsche neutered, vaccinated and adopted.
I called the CATS resale shop for a referral, and they put me in touch with volunteers who posted his photos and biography on their Petfinder site. Before we could get an appointment with a vet, Porsche injured his foot and over the course of two days, developed an infection and a fever. Porsche tried to bite the infection away. He would have died if it wasn’t for the help of CATS. Volunteers transported him to their vet at Franklin Lakes Animal Hospital where Porsche was treated over the course of several days. He is recuperating with us and he’s going to be fine. Initially, the fear was he might need to have his leg amputated. The excellent medical care Porsche received at Franklin Lakes was paid for by CATS and some caring sponsors who make donations to the organization.
Porsche was once someone’s pet, clean, sweet and affectionate, but already showing signs of malnutrition when he first came to us. We don’t know how he came to be outside, trying to survive. Whatever happened to Porsche is not unusual. Pets run off, are left behind when people move, or are dumped and left to fend for themselves outside where they sustain injuries, starve to death or fall victim to predators. He was fortunate. CATS’ foster homes are full of cast-aways, many of whom need medical care. CATS relies not only on its retail operation to raise funds to cover its vet bills and pet supplies, but also on donations from individuals.
If you cannot adopt a pet because you are renting, or perhaps your work or home situation is uncertain, why not sponsor one with a regular (tax-deductible) monthly donation? If you cannot commit to caring for a pet for its entire life, why not foster? The rewards are great. If you have a pet and it has not been spayed or neutered, please get this done as soon as possible to help reduce the numbers of homeless pets. There are several low-cost mobile units that provide this service.
We speak for Porsche and all the others who have been helped by CATS and Franklin Lakes Animal Hospital when we say a heart-felt, thank you. (And, by the way, Porsche is still waiting to be adopted.)
Debra and Dan Kleinen
Hillsdale, NJ