Her Name was Alice – REST IN PEACE

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4/4/25 Her name was Alice… 💔 It took weeks to trap her and unfortunately, her mouth was full of tumors. I spoke with the rescuer and her mom while she was under sedation for the exam. The option was to remove all teeth, debulk the masses, biopsy them, and hope she recovers.

I have been a veterinary technician for many years and this was one of the worst cases I have seen.

My opinion was that the kindest thing to do was humanely euthanize and the rescuer agreed. No one wanted to see this baby suffer any longer. Please Keep Kassie and her family in your prayers because this was emotionally exhausting and a very sad ending for them.

The only blessing is that Alice went peacefully surrounded by people who cared about her life. She was a stray and she mattered.. We covered her sedation, exam, euthanasia, and her cremation. The work we do is not easy, the choices pertaining to innocent lives are not taken lightly, and it takes a village..

I am happy we could help in this case so that Alice did not starve and slowly die alone in pain.

REST IN PEACE ALICE Gina https://4paws1heart.org/donations/

Little Emerald and Krueger

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4/3/25 – It was November when we received an e mail from Jessica, a friend of 4 paws 1 heart and a rescuer we have helped in the past. She gave me an update on a couple of cats we had helped in the past and then told us about another two kittens she had recently rescued.

The first was Emerald. A little girl had approached Jessica telling her about a box of kittens someone had dropped off and left behind. She named the only approachable kitten Emerald and Jessica kept the name and took Emerald in. Shortly after, Jessica was in a business area where she saw several kittens; within 5 minutes she was able to trap one very sweet guy. She named him Krueger and brought his in to foster and find a home.

We were happy to cover Emerald’s and Krueger’s full vetting which included deworming, vaccines, testing, and neuter. We are confident that Jessica found both very loving homes. – diana https://4paws1heart.org/donations/

Jenn’s Story

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4/2/25 – Jenn’s story started in October, 2024 when her rescuer contacted me about a cat (Jenn) she had rescued in July when Jenn was pregnant. It appeared that a nearby neighbor had been “letting out” approximately 15 cats because they were moving. Jenn had a litter of 6 kittens in July and she was ready to be fully vetted. The rescuer had found homes for all of the kittens except for Brutus so she asked if we could cover Brutus also. We approved both cats to be treated and sent the authorization to the first veterinary hospital. Unfortunately, the appointment was over one month out.

Another veterinary hospital was tried but that was even further out and would require two visits — a pre-surgery exam and then the actual spay. Finally, Jenn and her baby, Brutus, were seen at Rescue Veterinary Service but Jenn was suffering from an upper respiratory infection so she would have to be rescheduled. By the time Jenn had recovered, Rescue Veterinary Services closed permanently and Jenn was finally spayed, vaccinated, and tested at Orion Animal Hospital in February, 2025.

The Happy Update: Jenn is in a furever, loving home and the rescuer decided to make Brutus a member of the family.

They are doing very well today. – diana https://4paws1heart.org/donations/

Stray Cat in Lincoln Park

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4/1/25. – 6:45pm Update from Kassie the rescuer. “Drop trap is here and all set up. She even came strolling over while the guy was here setting it up, so she’s around here somewhere hopefully she comes back soon and I get her today “. Once the cat is secured and transported we will cover the care she needs to see what is going on. We don’t want to see her suffer. Gina

3/31/25 Located in Lincoln Park. I got an email request for help from a caring person who is trying to trap this stray. We offered to cover an exam and assessment of what is going on with her mouth if the rescuer can trap and transport to a hospital. She will not go in a trap so this has been a challenge for the rescuer who is desperately trying to help while watching this kitty struggle with food.

Hopefully, she can get her soon and we can prevent further suffering or pain. Gina https://4paws1heart.org/donations/

Glenda Was Rescued in January 2025

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3/31/25 – Glenda was rescued January 3, 2025. A friend of 4 Paws 1 Heart and a person who has rescued and found homes for many cats (Carol) contacted us about a kitten found and rescued by her son’s friend, The kitten had been hiding under her car at her job near 8 Mile & Kelly. The friend was able to pick the kitten (Glenda) up without any problem and she put her in her car to warm her up while she could find out if anyone owned her. The friend found a neighbor who told her that the kitten was a stray along with a number of nearby kittens who keep being born in the area. Carol reported that the kitten appeared to have a left front leg injury and an injury to her left ear. She was estimating her to be 5 months old.

Glenda was taken to Orion Animal Hospital where the doctor treated her ear, tested her for fiv/felv (negative) and vaccinated her. The doctor could not find any injuries to the leg and believed the limp was the result of a birth defect and suggested she have a follow up exam when she turned 1 year old.

The HAPPY update—Carol’s son ended up adopting Glenda and renaming her Polly. Carol took care of getting Polly spayed in order to save us money. And now Polly and her buddy,

Elmer, (who was rescued from a mobile home park in the Fall of 2024 and whom we also had helped with medical) are fast friends living the best life ever. – diana https://4paws1heart.org/donations/

Gracie is Doing Amazing

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3/29/23 – Gracie is doing amazing and will be going to her foster home today. I’m sure she will be so happy to get out of the hospital and into a home environment. Now, she just needs a forever home.

Her medical was extensive but she is a perfect example of what our purpose is as an organization. 4 paws 1 heart gives animals like Gracie a 2nd chance. Please consider donating today. Thank you from all of us on the board! Gina https://4paws1heart.org/donations/

Update on Orange Kitty

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3/28/25 Update on Orange Kitty. I had to post because this cat is adorable. Orange kitty is a cat that we helped who turned out to be feline leukemia positive. However his rescuer is trying to give him the best life.

4 paws 1 heart offered to cover his medical, vaccines, and neuter He was finally feeling well enough for surgery, so it was done last week. Here he is at Moore Veterinary Hospital receiving laser on his incision to help reduce pain, inflammation, and aid in healing as well. Orange kitty is on a special food because he will choke on dry food or anything with texture. The doctor feels this is secondary to the leukemia. When I put the word out asking for food, some of our supporters donated, and it is beyond appreciated! Tiffany is the rescuer, and her children have fallen deeply in love with this little guy.

Food is very expensive and money is a concern. The family has decided to keep him and they will take over his medical care. If anyone is interested in donating more food, I will private message you her address and you can send it directly to Orange kitty. Thank you, Gina https://4paws1heart.org/donations/

Tiny Tim (now named Bruce Wayne)

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3/27/25 – It was December 22, 2024 when I received the following e mail from Andra, a person we’ve assisted on many occasions and who works very hard to rescue cats as well as trap for TNR:

“Hello Diana. Merry Christmas! I had a couple questions. This is what I believe to be a stray cat; he has been showing up on my back porch for about the last two weeks. He’s a young one, definitely less than a year. He’s very sweet, just a little bit scared. I am interested in fostering him, and getting him out of the cold. I have an outdoor shelter set up, but he’s definitely not feral, and deserves so much more. Could I make an appointment to take him to the vet to be scanned for a microchip, and have him fiv/leukemia tested and vaccinated and treated for worms and fleas if he isn’t micro chipped? I would like to bring him in the house to work with, but want to make sure he is healthy before he comes in so none of my cats are compromised. I would definitely keep him separate either way. I named him Tiny Tim, And I believe he is a male, but not sure. – Andra”

Tiny Tim was taken to Patterson Veterinary where, unfortunately, a microchip wasn’t found. He was tested (negative,) started on his vaccines, treated for fleas and worms and was scheduled to be neutered on March 8, 2025. I’m sure that Tiny Tim (now named Bruce Wayne) will go on to have a very safe and loving life. –

diana https://4paws1heart.org/donations/

Roger and Wendell Found as Strays

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3/25/25. Roger and Wendell were found as strays who both needed quite a bit of vetting and dental care. Wendell survived a few winters and Roger was more recent but in bad shape. The rescuer said there has been a steady flow of strays in the area for years and she does what she can to help.. She may end up keeping them which would be nice because they adore each other.

Happy new beginnings Roger and Wendell! Thank you to our supporters for making these stories happen! Gina https://4paws1heart.org/donations/

Phoenix and Charlie Getting Help

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3/25/25 – This case initially started November 12, 2024 when we were contacted about two cats who had been roaming the neighborhood and being fed by the woman who contacted us. She wanted to take both of them in and find them homes. We said we could help but then didn’t hear back from the rescuer. Unfortunately, her mother had passed away and she re-contacted me after I sent a follow-up. The woman and sister had decided to adopt them both and still needed the medical assistance which was finally done.

We were happy to help getting Phoenix and Charlie, two more sweet cats who had been either lost or abandoned, a second chance at life. – diana https://4paws1heart.org/donations/