This horror story details how badly things can go wrong when young kittens don’t receive timely care for an upper respiratory infection. It comes from Kellie Wester, a feral cat rescuer from the Raleigh, North Carolina area. Not only does Kellie practice TNR, she also rehomes many cats who are friendly and has a Facebook community page titled My Friendly Ferals.
Kellie posted the heartbreaking story that began last Sunday when she was contacted by a friend with three very sick kittens who were found under a house. Thanks to an untreated upper respiratory infection, they’re fighting for their lives this week.
“Sunday I was contacted about helping these three kittens. I called and messaged several rescues, but they were unable to help due to lack of foster homes. After several hours of trying, it seemed the only place at these kittens would be able to go to would be the animal shelter that was already filled to the max. I posted on Facebook for help with rescue, people suggested that I do a fundraiser, and I thought long and hard about it. I really did not want to tell the people to take the kittens to the animal shelter, but they needed medical attention. I called and told them that if I could raise the funds that they could drop them off at my vet the next day.”
It truly took an entire animal loving community to get these kittens the surgery they needed. They were dropped off at the vet on Monday, had surgery Tuesday, and Kellie picked them up on Wednesday. It’s unsure how old they are. They aren’t even two pounds yet! One of the kittens lost both eyes and also had an umbilical hernia which was repaired. Another kitten lost one eye, and the third has kept both eyes (as of June 24).
The third kitten will see the veterinarian again on Monday. Unfortunately, the other two kittens started doing poorly on Thursday. Kellie took them to a vet on Friday because they all were running high fevers and had a lot of infection oozing out of the eye socket. They also all have ear infections and are being treated for that. Another antibiotic was added and they are also on pain medication. Kellie is giving the one that kept both eyes several medications in an effort to save the eyes.
Kellie will be dropping them off Monday morning around 10 a.m. for surgery again and will have a vet bill for them spending the night. A YouCaring fundraiser has been set up here. You may also donate via PayPal or contact Kellie on her community page if you’d like to call in a payment directly to the veterinarian.
The bill right now has hit close to $2,000. Add in additional surgery, treatment and spay and neuter once they’re healthy enough and we’re still looking at a “village effort” to raise the funds.
I hope this article is a wake-up call as to what can happen should a cat owner decide not to see a veterinarian for a condition that’s easily treated if caught in time.
Please help Kellie if you can. She’s responsible not only for the care of feral cats but also in getting many of them who are deemed adoptable off the streets and into forever homes.
Elisa
Note: Photos provided by Kellie Wester. Updates will be posted on the Facebook: My Friendly Ferals community page listed above as well as the YouCaring webpage.
JC Collins- Don’t assume everyone is as cold-hearted as yourself. The sheer number of animals that Kellie has helped, trained, fostered, homed, spayed, neutered and loved is astounding. Without her efforts, thousands of unwanted animals would be running loose. Get over yourself JC, it’s not your call. If we wish to send our money to help blind kittens, that is our business. Don’t donate if you don’t agree with the cause. Don’t trash others who are trying to do their best. Troll off.
Thansk Kim for commenting. My sentiments entirely.
JC..with that attitude I pray you don’t have kids. God forbid you do and they have downs or possibly be born blind. Should they be killed or would you love anyway? Never mind..someone as closeminded as you I already know the answer! Do NOT reproduce and spread your hate please!
Your logic is fatally flawed. Without surgery the kittens die of infection but even if they don’t they still live out their lives while blind. Declawing a cat is an abomination and is unnecessary except in the most extreme cases (I do know of one, and one only, in my decades of living with and rescuing cats). Enucleation of a destroyed eyeball is a medically necessary treatment.
J.C. Collins you make no sense at all!! These kittens did not ask to become blind and to need the surgery that they did. Kellie did the right thing by opening her home to them. It takes an army to save the unwanted but I have a feeling that you have no clue about that!! Kellie saves many lives and if you can not see that then keep your opinions to yourself. My mom taught me if you have nothing nice to say then say nothing at all. I think you need to follow this. Kellie would not have the following that she does if she was a fraud and only looking for attention. Maybe you should investigate what you say and back it up with facts before posting it! You are trying to hurt someone else’s reputation but us who know Kellie know what you say is untrue. So please go stop commenting and remove yourself!!!
Honey hush. Who appointed you god and gave you the power to decide what should and what should not happen? You have your predictable and unsolicited opinion, about which nobody but you cares. So sorry you have to stoop to such depths but I guess negative attention is still attention.