Unable To Afford Surgery, Oregon Family Abandons Their Injured Cat On The Street

Joe was no ordinary cat, and this was far from a typical day for him. Found wandering the streets of Oregon, this was the day that would change his life forever.

His pitiful state quickly caught the attention of passersby. Barely able to move, Joe’s back legs appeared to be paralyzed, and he was forced to drag himself forward using only his front legs. It was heart-wrenching to witness his struggle.

Moved by his suffering, one compassionate person couldn’t bear to leave him on the streets.

Taking action, they brought Joe to the Meow Village shelter in Oregon, hoping he would finally receive the care and help he so desperately needed.

The shelter team soon confronted a devastating truth about Joe’s condition. As it turned out, it wasn’t just a simple injury. The ginger tabby suffered from a diaphragmatic hernia, which further caused compromised breathing.

It was soon discovered that Joe had been hit by a car, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down.

His family, already facing financial difficulties, couldn’t afford the surgery he desperately needed, so they had no choice but to leave the poor kitten on the streets.

Joe Gets A Second Chance

Thanks to the compassionate passerby, Joe found his way to a place where strays like him could finally feel safe and hopeful.

Unfortunately, by the time he arrived, it was too late for the vets to repair the damage from his injury.

Although his tough life on the streets had taken its toll on his injured body, it never dulled his spirit.

He was so friendly and enjoyed cuddling with his hooman friends. Moved by his loving personality, the shelter shared on their Facebook page:

“It was too late to heal his physical injuries. Miraculously, it didn’t do any damage whatsoever to his loving heart, his enormous spirit, or his overwhelming desire to live as normal a life as possible.“

While the rescue team couldn’t restore Joe’s ability to walk on all fours, they were determined not to give up on his happiness. They focused on improving his life in every other way possible.

To help him find the loving home he deserved, the shelter shared Joe’s story online and started the search for the perfect family to adopt him.

They let everyone know what a fighter he was, describing his lively spirit and his huge desire to tackle life head-on:

“When you meet Joe, it’s clear to see that he is determined to show the world that he has what it takes to not only survive but to thrive and live his life to the fullest… He’s playful, funny, easy going, and never fails to light up any room he gleefully scoots into.”

The team hoped to find a compassionate soul who would embrace Joe’s special needs and who wouldn’t mind working a bit around him, adding:

“Joe will never give you grief about trying new things and working together on making his life easier, he’s filled with gratitude for being given a second chance and never misses the opportunity to freely show that.”

One of the shelter’s volunteers, Sheila Burdick, couldn’t resist Joe’s charm. She had already fostered two one-eyed cats and was no stranger to caring for kitties with special needs. That being said, the caring woman decided to foster him.

Joe Gets A Special Gift

As Joe settled into his new home with Sheila, a deep bond began to form between them.

Sheila devoted herself to Joe’s care, starting with daily exercises to help improve his mobility. With patience and love, they worked together to make his life as comfortable as possible.

Joe’s friendly nature quickly won over Sheila’s other cats, and soon his days were filled with new adventures alongside his furry companions. He had finally found a home where he was truly loved and cherished.

Just when it seemed like Joe’s life couldn’t improve any further, something incredible happened!

He received a special gift that would grant him new freedom and independence, bringing smiles to everyone’s faces.

Thanks to his devoted caregivers at Meow Village and the amazing folks at Back on Track Veterinarian Rehabilitation Center, Joe received the coolest wheelchair made especially for his needs. Isn’t this the best gift ever?

While Joe never let paralysis slow him down, his awesome wheels took him to a whole new level.

He made his first successful steps and then began achieving things that were earlier beyond reach. Nobody was happier than him!

Now Joe could finally keep up with his furry friends. Sheila laughed as she shared:

“Except when they jump up on something, he’s like, ‘Aw man, how dare you?’”

Once the ginger boy adjusted to his wheels, he became unstoppable, earning the nickname Turbo Joe.

Not only did he move with ease, but his body grew stronger, allowing him to even climb the stairs during breaks from his wheeling around. Joe’s progress was nothing short of heartwarming.

However, Joe’s story didn’t end there. A new wheelchair, a cool moniker, and a newfound strength weren’t the only things he got. This soldier was about to get another incredible surprise.

Home Sweet Home

As Joe reveled in his newfound freedom, his dedicated team at Meow Village kept sharing his adorable photos and updates online. They hoped that his restored mobility would help him find the perfect forever home.

And they were right! Soon enough, the shelter found a family to welcome Joe into their hearts and home. Overflowed with joy, they couldn’t wait to share the news:

“We have some exciting news to announce, it looks like Turbo Joe has found a forever home! And he’s going with a new buddy, Chibs… Joe and Chibs have spent the last few days bonding, and it looks like they are going to be best buddies!”

With a loving family by his side, Joe’s journey came full circle. He’s now thriving in his forever home, enjoying life with his kitty and dog friends, surrounded by love and endless adventures.

Joe’s incredible story is a testament to the resilience of our furry companions, and his happy ending is a beautiful reminder of the power of second chances!