Massachusetts Senior Cat With FIV Finally Finds Love After A Lifetime Of Struggle
Life on the streets is never easy for stray animals, and cats often bear the worst of it. That was certainly true for Frisbee, a poor cat found in a heartbreaking condition, alone, starving, and struggling to survive.
Frisbee’s story began when a rescue team from the Lowell TNR Coalition discovered him living outdoors in Massachusetts.
His fur was so tangled and filthy that he could barely move, and his thin frame spoke volumes about how long he’d been fending for himself.
Thankfully, his luck was about to change. The rescuers brought him to the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society (MRFRS) in Salisbury, where staff immediately saw that this was going to be a tough case. They shared in an interview:
“He originally was found outside, severely matted (worst we have ever seen) and very hungry. He was caught as part of a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program, and was discovered to be friendly.”
Once he was finally safe, the shelter team spent hours gently shaving off Frisbee’s thick mats. His condition was so severe that they had to use anesthesia. When he woke up, lighter, cleaner, and finally free from the heavy, painful coat, he started to purr.
But the grooming session revealed deeper problems. The vets found that half of Frisbee’s teeth were missing, and the remaining ones were in such poor condition that they all had to be removed.
On top of that, he suffered from stomatitis, a painful inflammation that would require lifelong medication.
“Half of his teeth were missing; the ones that remained were so far gone that they all had to be removed. He had a very stubborn stomatitis infection in his mouth which requires lifelong medication.”
As if that weren’t enough, Frisbee also tested positive for FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus). Many shelters might have turned him away because of the extensive and costly care he needed, but MRFRS refused to give up on him.
“If that weren’t enough he tested as being FIV+. Many other rescue groups may have turned him away because of his many (extensive and expensive) medical issues. But MRFRS took him in and cared for him for months until he was ready for adoption.”
Despite everything, Frisbee’s personality began to shine through. He was confident, sociable, and affectionate, the perfect “alpha cat,” as the staff affectionately described him.
That’s when Donna Atkins came across his profile online. Something about Frisbee’s story tugged at her heart.
“I knew I had to make the 1-1/2 hour drive up to Salisbury to visit him. It was love at first sight, so Frisbee (now called Buffy Boy) came home with us.”
Donna, already a devoted cat mom to another feline named Baby Cat, sensed that Frisbee, now lovingly renamed Buffy Boy, would be the perfect addition to her family. And she was right. After a few careful introductions, the two cats bonded instantly.
Now, Donna frequently shares photos of her happy pair, showing the world how much love rescued cats can bring once given a chance.
Today, Buffy Boy’s transformation is nothing short of inspiring.
From a neglected stray burdened by illness to a healthy, beloved companion, his story reminds us that every cat deserves a second chance, and that with compassion and care, even the most broken hearts can heal.
