3/20/23 – Precious had already been vaccinated and spayed compliments of 4 Paws 1 Heart but now needed a serious shaving due to severe mats and an eye exam for what appears to be an infection. She will be visiting our great partner veterinary, Patterson Veterinary Hospital this week. – diana.

4paws1heart.org/donations P.O. Box 84, St. Clair Shores, MI. 48080

3/20/23 – Last week was a busy week for cats needing help. Some serious and some just needing spay/neuter/vaccines and being released to where they were found. I’ll start with Puffins.

Puffins is a stray cat who had been showing up at the rescuers home but late last week he showed up dragging his hind legs. The rescuer thought he might have been hit by a car. We authorized an emergency visit where he was examined, had blood taken, as well as x rays. There were no breaks or sprains thankfully but he was found to have a severe infection and was given antibiotics. Today the doctor reported that his blood work and x rays looked good. This week Puffins will be taken to our partner vet, Patterson Veterinary Hospital, for a follow up exam and will be scheduled for his neuter. Puffins is doing great and is a very sweet cat who will never be outside again. – diana.

4paws1heart.org/donations P.O. Box 84, St. Clair Shores, MI. 48080

3/15/23 – So—-it all started with Heidi. She was found by the neighbor’s son. She was malnourished and no one claimed her. We were contacted and I authorized her to be vaccinated, tested, and spayed. Unfortunately, it was too late –Heidi was pregnant. Eventually, Heidi had her babies and now everyone has been vaccinated and spayed/neutered and mama was tested for FIV/FelV. A beautiful family who will now find their way into safe and loving homes. Thank YOU to our many donors who make this possible. – diana.

4paws1heart.org/donations P.O. Box 84, St. Clair Shores, MI. 48080

3/14/23 – Vaca was abandoned by his previous owners. The poor little guy kept showing up at the house and the new owners kindly fed him when he showed up. Vaca got so used to the new family that he actually recognized their car and would follow it as it approached their home. Vaca recently showed up with what appeared to be an abscess on his head. While we were working to get him into a vet, he showed up the next day with another wound. The rescuer became concerned that someone was actually using Vaca for target practice with a pellet gun. So, we quickly got him into a vet for at the least a test for fiv/felv so the rescuer could safely take him into her home and to get some treatment for the wounds. He is now safe in the rescuer’s home after testing negative. He will be seen this Friday for a possible scratch on his eye, another check on his wounds, and a pre-exam for his neuter. Thus far, Vaca is doing well in what the rescuer hopes will be his new home (the family does have other pets and they will be working to socialize everyone). Vaca is a very sweet cat who will now be safe and loved because of the generosity of our many supporters. – diana.

4paws1heart.org/donations P.O. Box 84, St. Clair Shores, MI. 48080

Thank you so much again for helping him he’s an amazing boy and you don’t even know he’s in the house, he’s so quiet. I and Vaca appreciate it from the bottom of our hearts. Vaca I know is happy to be in a house where he is warm and safe. I appreciate everything you do, you’re all literally angels on earth! – Shay

Goodmorning friends, Quick little Muffins update here.. Her tiny nose is pretty red this morning because she’s already had quite a bit of discharge, but morning time is typically worse. She is eating, drinking, and growing into a beautiful girl. Our appointment with Animal Surgical Center is March 31st. Please keep Paws crossed that we will have some good news. I will update once I know more. Thank you all for your continued support and prayers. Gina

4paws1heart.org/donations P.O. Box 84, St. Clair Shores, MI. 48080

3/12/23 – It was late January when Penelope was found by a young woman who was unable to find an owner or a shelter that would take her. Eventually, she was able to find help with an independent rescuer, Jem, whom we’ve worked with in the past on other case, and Jem contacted 4 paws 1 heart. Jem thought Penelope had been ‘dumped’ because of a ‘bad leg’ which resulted in Penelope hopping like a bunny. Here is Penelope’s story as told by Jem:

“On January 24th, Penelope came into my care. She is a four-month-old bobtail kitten who was born with a curved spine that resulted in a pelvic deformity. As a result, her hips are very wide, requiring her to hop like a bunny. Dr Panchal at Southpointe Vet x-rayed her and determined that the abnormal bone structure is not negatively impacting her quality of life. The more pressing issue was an untreated UTI that ended up destroying the surrounding skin. When I received her, the entirety of her back end was covered in thick necrotic tissue so infected her vulva could not be found. After two weeks of antibiotics and nightly disinfectant washes, the necrotic tissue fell off revealing that her entire vulva area was gone. As of today, Penelope’s urethra is nothing but an open hole that is very fragile and sometimes bleeds even from gentle wiping. Tomorrow, (February 15) Penelope will return to Southpointe for her spay. During this surgery, whatever can be done for her genital area will be done—ideally the doctor will be able to perform some level of reconstruction that will help Penelope hold her bladder. At the moment, her pelvic muscles are not strong enough to stop dripping. Despite the demands of her health, Penelope has a loving prospective family waiting on the surgery results so we can explore adoption. I would appreciate prayers and positive thoughts for little Penelope. It’s so hard to see her going through all this at such a tender age, but she is a happy kitten with an indomitable spirit and I have high hopes that she overcome these physical struggles.”

On February 16 Jem reported that “Dr Panchal, at Southpointe, said that Penny’s organs are healthy and normal as well as her spine and joints. The spay was performed without any issues. But, she was not able to do anything about Penny’s urethra. because all the vulva skin was necrotic and fell off, there was nothing for her to work with. Penny would have to go to a surgeon who could do a urethral lengthening to help her direct urine rather than having it dribble out.”

Unfortunately, when Jem sent me this update I literally dropped the ball and didn’t see it. Thankfully, Jem contacted me the other day as follow up. We have decided to seek one more opinion from Dr. Zalac at Orion Animal Hospital before making arrangements for surgery. We will be sure to update on next steps and as Jem asked before, please keep Penny in your prayers. – diana

4paws1heart.org/donations P.O. Box 84, St. Clair Shores, MI. 48080

20 Million!!!!

Last call for this Sunday’s Trap Neuter Return training class in Warren.

Learn best practices and get future discounts on TNR. $25 TNR Package: Spay/neuter, Rabies, Mandatory Eartip. Distemper included as supplies allow thanks to Petco Love #PetcoLoveVax and https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/petcolovevax

Sunday, March 12, 2023

11:30 am – 2:30 pm

https://www.facebook.com/events/565216522164004

4paws1heart.org/donations P.O. Box 84, St. Clair Shores, MI. 48080

3/9/23 – In late February we received the following e mail:

“We were feeding a stray cat during the summer (I know it’s frowned upon , but he was very hungry!) We hadn’t seen him in a very long time (early last summer ?) and today he reappeared on our doorstep. He has on open wound on his side (possibly attacked?) and my husband is currently giving him a bath to help clean him up. We don’t have the means to take care of him

We were referred to you guys ! Please let me know if you can help him. He’s a super sweet loving cat – Michelle”

Thankfully, I was able to say ‘yes’ and yesterday I spoke with the veterinary clinic. Poor Thunder has a large mass on his side which will require surgery. Again, because of our supporters and the great businesses who believe in us, I was able to authorize the surgery which will happen this Tuesday, March 14. Thunder will never see the outdoors again except from a window. Please say a prayer that Thunder will recover fully and enjoy the rest of his life with love and safety.

P.S. One of the photos here is of Thunder before his showed up with an injury. The others are of him since he has been with his rescuers; you can somewhat see the mass in one of the photos. He is being kept in a large crate until he can have his surgery so as not to cause further issues with the mass. – diana.

4paws1heart.org/donations P.O. Box 84, St. Clair Shores, MI. 48080

3/8/23 – Gemma was attacked by another dog. Her leg was just “hanging” when she was rescued by Midland County Pit Stop Rescue. Unfortunately, the leg requires amputation and her surgery will be taking place on March 14. Please remember this very sweet dog in your prayers. Only because of your donations can we continue to make a difference in the lives of so many of the animals wandering our streets. – diana.

4paws1heart.org/donations P.O. Box 84, St. Clair Shores, MI. 48080

3/7/23 – Kia was rescued by a man after she was found in an abandoned home in an area known for animals who have been abused and neglected. He had posted a request for help because he could not afford to pay for any medical care. A friend of 4 Paws 1 Heart, whom we’ve helped with other rescues, contacted us to see if we could cover any medical treatment needed. There was a concern that Kia may have been suffering from Pyometra which is most common in older dogs after many years of estrus cycles without pregnancy; the uterine wall undergoes the changes that promotes the disease.

Kia was seen the next day and was spayed; she did have the beginning of pyometra which was treated. She was also vaccinated and tested for heart worm. Thankfully everything went well and Kia is now with her rescuer receiving lots of love and care. – diana.

4paws1heart.org/donations P.O. Box 84, St. Clair Shores, MI. 48080