Pennsylvania Cat Given Away For Free Immediately Shows Her Rescuer Exactly What She Needs
A sweet cat named Scrambelina was posted for free on Facebook Marketplace after her family divorced. When a rescuer stepped in, she discovered the feline had severe medical needs—and an endless capacity for love.
A Risky Online Listing
When a couple went through a divorce, they made a heartbreaking decision about their family pet.
Neither of them wanted to keep the sweet cat, so they took to the internet to find a quick solution.
They posted her for free on Facebook Marketplace, a move that can often put vulnerable animals in dangerous situations.
Thankfully, local animal advocates noticed the listing and knew they had to act fast.
Stepping In To Help
Leah Lanham, an experienced rescuer, is no stranger to these kinds of urgent pleas.
Because she is actively involved in rescue work, people frequently send her these types of online listings.
As soon as Leah saw the post about the unwanted cat, she knew she had to intervene.
She arranged to take the cat, who would soon be named Scrambelina, into her care.
Desperate For A Hug
Given that Scrambelina had just lost her home, Leah wasn’t sure how the cat would react to a stranger.
But the moment Leah picked her up, all of her doubts washed away.
Scrambelina immediately rubbed her face all over her new rescuer, wanting to be as close to her as possible.
As Leah noted, the sweet feline was simply "desperate for a hug."
A Hidden Medical Struggle
Despite her incredibly loving nature, it quickly became clear that Scrambelina was suffering from a serious physical issue.
Leah discovered that the cat had a hole in her soft palate, which made daily life incredibly difficult.
Because of the defect, she was only able to eat in a very specific way.
Often, food would get stuck, causing Scrambelina to start sneezing uncontrollably.
The Danger Of Dry Food
The hole in her palate didn’t just affect her eating; it made drinking water nearly impossible.
Whenever she tried to drink, the water would come right back up, leaving her chronically dehydrated.
In her previous home, she had only been fed dry food, which compounded the problem.
Without wet food or the ability to keep water down, Scrambelina’s body was struggling to function.
Not Your Typical Feline
As Scrambelina settled into her foster home, her unique personality began to shine through.
She didn’t act like a typical cat, which left Leah’s other resident felines a little confused.
She didn’t use a litter box normally, nor did she groom herself the way most cats do.
Instead of doing standard cat activities, she spent all her energy craving human attention.
Healing The Damage
The prolonged dehydration from her previous living situation had taken a serious toll on Scrambelina’s health.
She suffered from significant kidney damage and required regular fluids and medication to regain her strength.
Last month, she underwent her first palate repair surgery to try and close the hole.
Leah and the veterinary team hoped this would be the key to a normal life.
A Forever Safe Haven
Unfortunately, the first surgery didn’t stick, meaning Scrambelina will need a second procedure to fully heal.
Once it is finally fixed, she will be able to eat and drink just like any other cat.
While Leah is technically just fostering her, the bond they share has become unbreakable.
Because of everything Scrambelina has been through, Leah cannot imagine letting her go anywhere else, ensuring this sweet girl is finally home for good.
