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Abused Kittens Find a Loving Home

Ritz and Charm

Thanks to friends like you, Ritz and Charm are living the lives they deserve.

When two 6-month-old kittens arrived at the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, we couldn't believe what we saw. It was clear they had suffered horribly. Both showed signs of major head trauma, and we didn't think one would even make it through the night.

Thanks to the support of generous donors, our Emergency Care Team was able to immediately step in and start doing everything they could to save these kittens' lives.

Ritz, an orange kitten, was unable to stand, walk or even sit when he arrived. He could "army crawl" with his front legs but could barely use his hind legs.

Charm, a black kitten, was even worse. She weighed a full 3 pounds less than her brother and was in extreme pain. Her face was so swollen she could barely open one of her eyes. She was bleeding from her mouth, and our veterinarians were concerned that her jaw was broken or dislocated. She couldn't lift her head and frequently cried in pain during her initial exam. We could only hope she'd gotten to us in time.

Road to Recovery

Both kittens were given pain meds and Charm was given IV fluids for dehydration and medication to help decrease her swelling. She had to be syringe-fed since she was unable to eat or drink on her own.

The next day we were amazed to see that Charm was still with us—she was a fighter! Little by little, under the care of our vets, both kittens improved. While they have suffered permanent brain damage from the abuse and will always struggle with balance and coordination, they are now able to eat, walk and even play.

Where would Charm and Ritz, and those in need in the future, be without your support? Your legacy gifts enable the ARL to help kittens and other animals well into the future.

Home at Last

One of Ritz and Charm's medical caretakers had become very close to them during their recovery and welcomed them into her home when they were able to be fostered. Once they were ready for adoption, she made her home their permanent home.

A man who had lived with the kittens pleaded guilty to two counts of animal neglect. He received deferred sentences, even though he has a history of violent charges against humans.

While these kittens did not get the justice they deserved, thanks to you they now have the lives they deserve. They are loving life…and are loved beyond measure.

To learn how you can help pets in need, like Charm and Ritz, contact Lora Rogers at legacy@arl-iowa.org or (515) 473-9119.