Tampa Woman Rescues A Stray Cat Only To Realize He’s Poisoned

On her way to work in Tampa, Florida, Dominique noticed a struggling cat trying to walk. To her surprise, she recognized him right away – it was Smoosh, a cat she had helped two years earlier through a Trap-Neuter-Return program.

Back then, Smoosh had appeared healthy and showed no signs of trouble, so seeing him in this condition left her both concerned and puzzled.

She ruled out the possibility of a car accident and felt certain something else was behind his sudden struggle.

Wanting answers and determined to help, Dominique made it her mission to find out what was wrong and to give Smoosh the care he so clearly needed.

The moment Dominique spotted Smoosh, he tried to flee. His back legs stretched awkwardly behind him as he stumbled and fell, clearly struggling with every step.

Without hesitation, Dominique rushed to her car to grab the large fishing net she often used to help strays in need. But by the time she returned, Smoosh had already disappeared.

Catching him that day was no easy task. His years of surviving as a stray, combined with the pain he was likely feeling, made him cautious and hard to approach.

He slipped into hiding spots, always staying just out of reach, too wary to let himself be caught.

Even with her job pulling her away, Dominique’s determination never wavered. She arranged to leave work earlier than usual, intent on finding Smoosh again and giving him the help he so desperately needed.

When she came back, Dominique found Smoosh asleep at the same spot where she had last seen him. She carefully approached and successfully secured him with her net.

Smoosh didn’t take kindly to being approached and reacted defensively, swiping at Dominique and leaving a scratch on her arm.

She didn’t blame him, though, knowing it was simply his instinct to protect himself in such a vulnerable state.

What worried her most was how much worse his condition seemed. His movements were labored, and it was painfully clear that getting around had become even more difficult for him as the day went on.

Now in Dominique’s caring hands, Smoosh was finally on the path to receiving the aid he needed to recover. 

Dominique, who volunteers for Rags to Riches Animal Rescue Inc. in Tampa, Florida, immediately reached out to her go-to veterinarian, Dr. Ginex, who swiftly arranged an appointment for Smoosh.

Upon examination, it was discovered that Smoosh had been poisoned, with rat poison wreaking havoc in his system and causing paralysis.

Thankfully, over the following weeks, Smoosh began to recover quickly. Aside from some occasional tremors, there were no lasting effects from his ordeal.

Dominique made sure he had a quiet, comfortable space to heal, setting him up in her bathroom where he could rest in peace and safety.

Throughout his recuperation, Dominique and her team observed that Smoosh’s tremors gradually decreased and were mainly triggered by either fear or excitement, indicating significant improvement.

Dominique devoted exceptional care to Smoosh, and among all the animals she had rescued, he was the one who most needed her support. Reflecting on his recovery, Dominique shared her routine:

“I would wake up really early, get his room ready, and get him some dry and wet food. And man, Smoosh loved food! I’d go in there and talk to him or try to put some toys around him.”

Observing significant improvement in his condition, Dominique decided it was time for the next step: Introducing him to the rest of the animals! She said:

“When his tremors were less frequent, that’s when I knew he could start slowly making his way out of the bathroom.”

She vividly remembers Smoosh’s first venture outside the bathroom:

“When he finally started coming out of the bathroom, you could see him just looking and walking around. I tried more and more to feed him outside of the bathroom to keep him comfortable.”

As Smoosh began exploring Dominique’s home, he quickly became pals with the other rescue animals, revealing his unique charm.

Transforming from a once fearful and aggressive stray, Smoosh emerged as a sociable, playful, and loving indoor cat. Dominique added:

“Smoosh is really, really sweet. He loves pets, he loves to cuddle, and he always finds these weird places to sleep.”

After spending over six months with Dominique, it was time for Smoosh to move on to his forever home. 

A family, known for their love for cats, reached out to Rags to Riches Animal Rescue Inc. interested in adopting Smoosh. Following a brief evaluation, it was clear they were the perfect fit for him.

Letting Smoosh go was bittersweet for Dominique. She said:

“I did cry a lot about Smoosh. He is a special cat to me, and goodbyes are always hard, but it’s a goal, so I can make more room for more rescues.”

Reflecting on her bond with her special feline companion, Dominique added:

“Smoosh has forever changed me, and I wish him the absolute best.”

This touching story is a reminder of how far kindness can go. Thanks to Dominique’s compassion, Smoosh was given a second chance at the safe, comfortable indoor life he deserved.