11/27/24 – This very sweet and friendly cat with an ear tip would sometimes show up on Janis’ porch. One day she noted he was severely matted, had fleas, and something was wrong with his right eye.
With our authorization, Roger was taken to Orion Animal Hospital yesterday where he was shaved for his painful mats, and treated for an eye infection and a urinary tract infection. He received appropriate vaccines and was treated for fleas. Roger did test positive for FIV but we know that FIV should never be a death knell for otherwise healthy cats.
Roger will have a follow up appointment to make sure the infections have cleared and receive appropriate vaccine boosters. Janis will be taking Roger to adoption events once his fur starts to return but if anyone is interested in adopting him when he is healed, contact Janis at: [email protected]
11/26/24 – I’ve often talked about the value of the ‘Village’ and once again we were thankful to be there when this handsome dude needed just a little bit more funding to get him his recent surgery. 4 Paws 1 Heart is very proud of the partnership we’ve had with Orion Animal Hospital and the amazing doctors, veterinary technicians, and supporting staff. When we’ve needed advice or a quick appointment, they have always been there. And, sometimes when an abandoned or stray animal came to their doors or one of the staff members came across a stray/shelter animal needing help, we were happy to reciprocate with funding the medical. This is Hippo’s story from the rescue, Purrs Abound Siamese Rescue of Michigan, Inc.:
“11-12-24 Hippo the Siamese Dog checking in! As you know, we pulled a handsome little House Hippo from the Oakland County shelter just a couple weeks ago with the help of our amazing foster, Courtney. Hippo has completed a two week quarantine and was able to visit our friends at Orion Animal Hospital yesterday for his airway issues.
Hippo had his nares widened while still at the shelter, and he now needs a palate resection to complete his airway care. Unfortunately, this is common with brachycephalic breeds, and he will eventually be in search of a home with experience and understanding of his needs to keep him safe. On top of this, he also has some allergy issues requiring Cytopoint injections which were started today. This may be an ongoing issue that he will need monthly injections for – time will tell! Hippo is scheduled for surgery the first week of December. Once recovered, Hippo will be on his search for a forever family. We can’t wait to see him feeling the best he can feel!”
As an additional note, Courtney, who is mentioned here, is a team member at Orion Animal Hospital. I’m proud to say that we’ve developed a very special relationship with the entire staff as well as Dr. Zalac and Dr. Blasses when it comes to working together to make a difference in the lives of those animals who have been abandoned. We may be assisting Hippo a little more in the future before he gets adopted, but word is that he is well worth it. – diana
11/25/24 – It was October 6 when we received a request from Malissa about a cat who showed up on the family’s porch. He was very emaciated, starving, covered in skunk spray and with what appeared to be an eye infection or upper respiratory infection. His joints stuck out and the family thought he couldn’t survive the winter. The family named him Gremlin and took him to eventually find him a furever home. Through the following month+, Gremlin had been back and forth to the veterinary clinic we had authorized but they couldn’t stop his vomiting. He was taking antibiotics and then was prescribed nausea medicine. Throughout his time with the family we authorized ‘re-checks’ with the clinic.
Today I received the following from Malissa: “Hi Diana, This is Malissa, Gremlin’s foster mom. I’m unfortunately writing with some sad news. After a particularly rough weekend for him, Gremlin crossed the rainbow bridge. We took him to Blue Pearl and discovered he had advanced lymphoma and that he was roughly 15 years old. He likely had the disease for a very long time and he was actively losing his battle at the time of our visit. The staff were kind and a few knew of your organization, and they allowed me to have the visit and procedure done free of charge.
I wanted to let you know, from the bottom of my heart, that I am so grateful for you and that what you do is so wonderful and important for people in my situation. Your kindness and generosity allowed him to come in for a few months and know a LOT of love before his time here came to an end. He was happy in spite of everything, and he let us know it all the time. He was surrounded by love and at peace and ultimately he wouldn’t have been afforded that ending if it weren’t for you.
So again, thank you so much for everything. I’ve been back to work for nearly a month now and I plan to donate as soon as I can so that I might pay it forward to someone else in need.
11/25/24 – On October 31 we posted Pooh’s story. He was found on the street by a friend of Brooke’s. The friend took care of having Pooh vaccinated and neutered but it became obvious that he had something wrong with an eye — it turned out to be a condition called entropion which will result in blindness. The friend could not afford this and Brooke decided to take him in and ask us for help.
Pooh had his surgery and this past Friday Brooke sent us the following update: “Living his best life we moved to a bigger home and he’s loving it with his kitten brother – Brooke”
11/25/24 – Minnie (mom), Whiskers, Sherbert, Chester and Walnut were all rescued — first the kittens and then the mom.
When the babies were of age, everyone was taken to Rescue Veterinary Services. Mom was tested (negative) and everyone was vaccinated and spayed/neutered.
Their rescuer will be finding furever homes for the family and thankfully they will no longer be in danger to die or be abused on the streets. – diana https://4paws1heart.org/donations/ P.O. Box 84, St. Clair Shores, MI. 48080
11/25/24 – Jenn is one of over 15 cats that were released when a family in the neighborhood moved. Jenn was rescued but unfortunately she was pregnant and gave birth to 6 kittens in the middle of October. Her rescuer, Lorri, was able to find homes for 5 of the kittens but Brutus (Jenn’s remaining baby) and Jenn needed to be tested, vaccinated, and spayed/neutered. Lorri will be finding a home for Jenn and will give Brutus a furever home with her.
Unfortunately, we don’t know what happened to the many cats released by the neighbor. – diana https://4paws1heart.org/donations/ P.O. Box 84, St. Clair Shores, MI. 48080
11/24/25 – A long-time friend of 4 Paws 1 Heart and amazing rescuer contacted us in late July about 3 kittens she had taken in from a woman who had a mother cat no longer able to nurse and she didn’t have the time to care for the kittens. Patricia took in the 3 5-wwek old babies; 2 of whom were only 10 ounces at the time. Over the weeks, Patricia nursed them all into good health and they were ready for their vaccines and spay/neuter in mid September. Patricia will be finding the three, Mothra, Rodan, and Stormy their furever homes.
Without the support of our many loyal friends, we could never help the many independent rescuers working to save animals every day. Thank YOU! – diana https://4paws1heart.org/donations/ P.O. Box 84, St. Clair Shores, MI. 48080
11/21/24 -Bruce came to someone’s door, very underweight and with his rear left leg partially cut off and bleeding at the hock. It’s unknown who or what did that to him; the photo is too graphic to post. Streethearts Animal Rescue got the call and rushed him to OVRS where they treated him overnight then then he was transferred to another clinic for complete amputation. Unfortunately, during the medical process, Bruce was found to be heart worm positive. Streethearts asked if we could cover his heart worm treatment and we said ‘yes’.
Bruce is estimated to be about 5 years old and everyone who has met him, loves him. Once recovered he will be looking for his furever home but for now he is being fostered by the veterinary technician who assisted at OVRS when Bruce was first brought in.
He will be starting his heart worm injections December 19, 2024. We continue to thank our donors who make all of this possible.
11/18/24 – Coco is one of 4 dogs who were potentially going to be surrendered to a shelter due to a divorce. A friend of Courtney’s (whom we’ve assisted in rescue in the past) agreed to take in Coco but needed our assistance with vetting.
We are not sure if Coco is spayed but we will make sure that she is. Coco will also be tested for heartworm and be vaccinated for distemper and rabies.
She will be ready for a new life because of caring people and our generous donors. – diana https://4paws1heart.org/donations/ P.O. Box 84, St. Clair Shores, MI 48080
11/14/24 – Yesterday, October 13, her rescuer, Kim, contacted us to ask for help in getting a very sweet but shy kitten fully vetted. ‘Pudding’ had been hanging around her house for about two weeks.
Kim tried to find an owner by reporting her rescue to the Oakland County Animal Control as well as several of the ‘lost and found’ sites but no one claimed her; and, there was no microchip.
Kim told me if we could help, Pudding could be adopted by a very nice family. We authorized Pudding to be seen at Orion Animal Hospital and they are able to see her today. We are thankful that another orphan has been saved and will be soon in a loving home. – diana https://4paws1heart.org/donations/ P.O. Box 84, St. Clair Shores, MI. 48080
