Cats in the house
The smell of ammonia hit ARL rescuers as soon as they entered the cramped Des Moines home. Trash and feces covered the floors, and there were cats—so many cats.
All were suffering in the toxic environment, but the kittens—some only a few weeks old—were in the worst condition. They had upper respiratory infections, severe conjunctivitis, ear mites and fleas.
One kitten—we named him Ozzy—had an eye so infected that we weren’t sure if we would be able to save him.
Our Mobile Rescue Team brought all 24 cats back to the shelter so their new lives could begin. Ozzy and the rest of the kittens were dehydrated, so we gave them fluids right away. We also began treating their illnesses.
Ozzy Before
Once they were stronger, our veterinarians approved them to be placed in foster homes to continue their recovery. There, they continued to gain strength and heal. They even learned what it was like to have the love of a family.
After nearly two months of eye treatments, we’re happy to say that Ozzy was able to keep his eye. While the kittens’ biggest hurdle was their health, the adult cats needed a different sort of help.
Coming from a situation where they had limited exposure to new people and things, they were understandably afraid and reluctant to trust, so our behavior staff and volunteers began helping them overcome their fears.
Ozzy After
For weeks, our team worked to help them open up by offering food and treats and letting the cats approach them at their own pace. Eventually, the cats began to associate people with good things, and they gradually started asking for pets and attention!
We’re happy to say that many of these cats have already been adopted, including little Ozzy! Others are still looking for their new homes and can’t wait to find families who will love them and give them the happy home life they’ve always deserved.
Your support of the ARL changes lives every day and makes it possible for us to continue to answer these urgent calls for help. To learn more about all the ways you can make a difference, please contact Lora Rogers at legacy@arl-iowa.org.