Heavenly Paws is a special place for many cats in need, and it has seen many touching stories of rescue and healing.
However, one story that really stands out is about Colt, a little kitten who walks with a wobble but has a big heart.
Melani Ranck, Colt’s human mom, first saw him in a touching photo shared online. The picture was shared to help raise money for his vet bills, and it really touched her. As she shared in an interview:
“His eyes looked so sad. He looked so pathetic. His eyes looked almost human.”
Seeing the kitten with a broken leg and messy fur made her feel a strong urge to help him. Even though she already had three cats at home, Melani knew she couldn’t turn her back on Colt.
But, Colt’s journey to finding a forever home began way before he ever met Melanie. It all started when Staci Stern, a caring neighbor, found him all alone and in bad shape.
He was dirty and trembling, looking very scared and hopeless. Knowing that Heavenly Paws helps cats like Colt, Staci reached out to Ann Behrendt, the founder of the shelter.
Ann, who has a lot of experience caring for animals, quickly stepped in to help. Colt was taken to the shelter, where he got the medical care he desperately needed.
The first check-up showed that he was indeed in really bad shape: he was malnourished, abused, had parasites, and might have a possible injury to his left front leg.
The vet’s diagnosis, however, brought a new hurdle to overcome. Colt didn’t have a broken bone; instead, he was diagnosed with cerebellar hypoplasia, a neurological issue that happened because of a viral infection his mom had while she was pregnant.
This condition, often called “wobbly cat syndrome,” impacts the cerebellum, which is the part of the brain that helps with coordination and balance.
True to his name, Colt struggled with coordination, having a tough time walking and even using his litter box.
The vet suggested that they might need to amputate his leg, but luckily, that wasn’t necessary. Instead, they put a hard splint on his leg, which Colt clearly didn’t like.
Despite these difficulties, Colt’s spirit stayed strong. Melani was determined to give him the best life she could, so she brought him into her home. She mentioned:
“He still shakes when he stands up. But every day he gets stronger.”
With lots of love and patience, Melani helped Colt adjust to his new life, making sure he had everything he needed.
Now, we can’t deny the amazing commitment of Heavenly Paws and all the people who open their hearts and homes to animals that need help. But still, this shelter faces ongoing struggles, especially during the tough winter months. As Ann shared:
“It’s going to get ugly now with winter. We scramble to get them, but we only have so much capacity.”
Heavenly Paws depends a lot on the kindness of the community. Donations, whether money or supplies, are really important for them to keep going.
Even though the shelter has had some tough times, like losing a big corporate sponsor, Ann is still dedicated to saving and helping cats that need it.
Take, for example, Colt’s story ended happily when he was adopted and taken care of, just one of the many success stories of the cats she has rescued over the years. Now, the once-sickly kitten with sad eyes is thriving in his new home!
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