Scout came to the Josephine County Animal Shelter after her owner passed away last fall. Scout was all alone for several weeks with little access to food and water. Coupled with the fact that she’s about 12 years old, left her in horrible shape when she arrived. She was bone-thin, had an eye infection, upper respiratory, flaky, dry skin and wasn’t very happy.
Shelter manager, Laura Milnes, reached out to Shelter Friends to see if we could help. We said yes, and Scout was whisked away to foster.
She had also stopped eating and did not appear to have a “will to live”. We got her into Valley Animal Hospital for treatment. It was going to be a long road, but we and her foster mom, Rosie, were committed to giving Scout a chance to live out her golden years.
The next several weeks involved twice daily medications of antibiotics, thrice daily syringe feeding, twice daily sub-q fluids (hydrating via needle under her skin) and eye medications. Scout was pretty tolerant of most of the poking and prodding, but even the best will lose their patience. Scout became very irritable, growled when being fed and hydrated and lashed out a couple times. Who could blame her?
Her foster mom hung in there for her, and after 3 weeks of this daily routine, Scout started eating! Her irritability lessened and she started acting more like a cat with life left in her!
Over the next several weeks, her coat became glossy, she gained weight and her eye ulcer cleared up! Now Scout was available for adoption!
Guess what, as often happens with our dedicated fosters, Rosie fell in love as Scout had become a part of the family.
I am happy to report that Scout was a ‘foster failure’ and will live her Golden Years being loved and cared for by Rosie. Scout joins two other felines to share Rosie’s love and home.
We are thrilled for Scout, and thank you, Shelter Friend supporters, as this is one way your donations help. This is the difference you made for this one, old cat who came to the shelter with little life left. However many days, months or years she has, they’ll be full of love!
Here’s a few picks I got yesterday when I stopped in for a visit! Rosie reports that Scout spends her day lounging on her bed, looking out the second story window, snuggling under the covers, eating and playing!
Happy life, Scout!
