5/1/22 – RIP Sweet Thunder. Last week a friend of 4p1h, Tina, contacted us about this very sweet, very sick cat who was on the streets needing help. Tina thought Thunder was partially blind, with a severe respiratory infection. He was also very emaciated. I authorized Thunder to be taken to Veterinary Medical Hospital and after he was examined I spoke with the doctor. Thunder was in very bad shape and required fluids and injections for a severe infection, his condition was also very much compromised because of FIV. The doctor couldn’t promise anything but we agreed to give Thunder a chance. Tina visited Thunder in the hospital and after a few days it was decided that this very sweet boy should be allowed to cross the Rainbow Bridge. Although, I rarely meet the animals we help, my heart breaks with the rescuer who tries so very hard to give these orphans a fighting chance. The second photo is of Thunder while he was in the hospital being petted and loved by Tina. Much love and thanks go to every person who do so very much for those who have no one. – diana.
4/28/22 – Hazelnut showed up on the rescuer’s porch. She has obvious skin issues and an infection and in need of spay and vaccines as well of a heart worm test. She is scheduled for the vet and we will report on her health when we get it. She will be looking for her furever family once she is healthy and has been able to decompress. – diana.
4/27/22 – Morning Star was found as a new arrival in a cat community cared for by a friend of 4p1h. He came to breakfast looking all beat up. He needed his wounds cleaned and antibiotics. He also needed to be neutered and vaccinated for rabies. The hope for feral cats is that by spaying/neutering not only can we stop the overpopulation of unwanted kittens, but also cut down on the fighting that occurs among males. It’s not easy on the streets of the cat world. – diana
This is Milo. He was found as a stray about 3 weeks ago. The rescuer, Laura, said he was skin and bones. She was kind enough to bring him in and give him shelter. Meanwhile, she posted him on social media, lost and found pages, and she contacted rescue groups. When she contacted 4 paws 1 heart we immediately offered to have him checked out by a veterinarian.
Today, we sent out some bloodwork, started his vaccines, trimmed his nails, and had him examined. He is an adult neutered male and extremely sweet. He will be in need of a forever home. ♡
4/25/22 – Janet was found on the streets of Detroit suffering with a sever upper respiratory infection as well as being very emaciated. She was taken to a 24-hour hospital by her rescuer and after considerable cost was released. Before we could help with this bill, the finder was able to get donations and covered the remaining amount. Two weeks later, Jennifer (Janet’s rescuer) took Janet for a follow up visit and Janet was found to have pyometra, a bacterial infection that occurs in the uterus of a cat. Infections occur in sexually intact female cats after they have been in heat. Jennifer said symptoms came quite fast and Janet was immediately taken in for emergency surgery. The surgery entails removal of both the ovaries and uterus. I touched base with Jennifer the other day and Janet is doing great. We were happy to be able to help with the surgery and are also thankful for all of the kind people who also donated to both hospital visits. – diana.
4/24/22 – On this beautiful Sunday morning in Southeast, MI, I wanted to share this e mail that I received the other day. It concerned a kitty names Milo. It was December 20, 2021 when I received an e mail from a very kind woman who had rescued many cats in her life and has 5 of her own. Bear, was only 9-11 months old and he showed up very cold, hungry, emaciated, and an injured leg. His guardian angel took him to a vet who provided subq fluids, vaccines, x-rays, and pain and anti-inflammatory medications. It was determined that he may need ACL surgery. This is when we were contacted. Bear saw the amazing Dr. Zalac, of Orion Animal Hospital, who scheduled the surgery for February 15. But before the surgery was performed, a ‘sarcoma/
formed on Bear’s tail. He was taken back to the original vet and it was determined that the ‘sarcoma’ was a response to the rabies injection. The sarcoma was biopsied–no cancer. On February 15, 2022, Bear finally had his surgery. Dr. Z found that the injury wasn’t as severe as thought in that the ligaments were stretched and not torn. Consequently, the healing process would be much quicker. Two months later here is the update from Sharon, Bear’s angel:
“Hello Diana,
I wanted to give you an update on little “Bear”, now known as “Milo”. On Wednesday of this week, April 20th, we took “Milo” to Orion Animal Hospital for his final post-op check up with Dr. Zalac. She gave him a clean bill of health, stating that his current, very slight limp would improve over the next year. She did not feel there was a need to return unless something unusual occurred in the future.
I am happy to say that “Milo” currently has a new foster mom and dad, who happen to be my neighbors and friends. I am 99% sure that they will adopt him permanently. We are very exited that we will be able to keep in contact with this precious little furbaby.
The new mom and dad and I are so very, very grateful for what you have done for little “Milo”. We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts and would like to know if we can donate to you, and where to send said donations. Because of people like you, these sad little creatures that are abused and abandoned will hopefully live long and happy lives. Thank you again.
Sincerely,
Sharon and Milo.”
I hope this makes your beautiful Sunday even better and continues to reinforce how important our donors are to overwhelming number of fur orphans on our streets. – diana.
4/22/22 – Zazu Berge was given food and shelter by two neighbors for about a week. The other day he showed up with an open wound and unable to bear any weight on one leg. The one caretaker, Casey, took him to a vet where his wound was treated and antibiotics and pain meds were given. Casey took Zazu for a follow up visit and x-rays and it was discovered that Zazu had been shot with BB’s. The doctor recommended amputation or euthanasia. Zazu is a very sweet 7/8 year old and Casey and her husband wanted to give this little guy a chance. Consequently, they contacted us for help with the surgery. Unfortunately, the cat and the family is in a city where we don’t have any nearby vets. Consequently, the surgery will be costing much more than we would normally pay. The family has been able to raise about 2/3 of the cost and we will pay for the remainder. Prayers for Zazu and blessings for this family who will adopt Zazu so he will never face abuse again. – diana.
4/21/22 – We were contacted by a rescue group in the Grayling, Michigan area about a sweet cat who had been kept in a cage for two months, never to be let out. They were able to get the cat surrendered but shortly after, Jackson started having bouts of diarrhea, projectile vomiting, and appeared to be in pain from a possible dental issue. We authorized Jackson’s medical visit where he had x-rays and blood work. It was determined that he was severely impacted and he had an infected baby tooth which was also causing a great deal of pain. Jackson was given enemas clearing the impacted bowels and was given medication for his infected tooth. Jackson will also need to be on a special diet. His foster family fell in love with him and decided to adopt him. Here is a note they sent to me:
“My husband and I wanted to reach out and thank you SO much for helping with Jackson’s vet bill the other day. When we fostered him we had no intentions of keeping him but this lovable little guy made his way into our hearts. He is feeling a lot better and we are watching him very closely. Everything you do to help all of these kitties is amazing and we just wanted to share our appreciation. If I can ever help with anything please let me know. We definitely owe you a favor or two. Have a wonderful day! – Amber”
Thank you to our many donors who make it possible for us to meet the needs of the many orphan animals in our communities. Since our beginning we have paid $1.3 million in medical treatment and 100% of every dollar we raise is spent on the rehabilitation of animals found on the streets or in abusive situations. – diana.
4/21/22 – Fiona and Wolfie are two more kitties who will not be responsible for producing any more kittens. They were recently rescued from the streets and will be needing their furever homes. Please consider checking out the many homeless animals with the rescue groups, individual rescuers, and shelters if you would like some unconditional love. – diana.
4/18/22 – Last Thursday night when a friend of 4P1H took out her dogs, one of the ferals she cares for left a very sick kitten, about 4 weeks old, where our friend would see her. The kitten was very congested and her eyes were nearly shut tight. Through the night and morning, the rescuer stayed up trying to feed her electrolytes to provide fluids into her tiny little body. On Friday afternoon, Arrow, was seen and treated for an upper respiratory infection and given fluids. She was sent home with what was needed to provide in-home care through the weekend. Her rescuer is experienced with home care issues. The rescuer gave Arrow around the clock care but at one point during the early morning on Saturday, Arrow stopped breathing. The rescuer did CPR but it was not successful. RIP Sweet Arrow. There are just too many kittens like Arrow, being born to poor, intact females in areas overrun with abandoned and stray cats. This lack of care and continuous reproduction results in babies born with diseases and genetic issues. It seems to be getting worse over the past couple of months. Please remember the many animals who continue to be abandoned or born without anyone to care for them. They need us now more than ever. And, if you can, please make a donation as we continue to try and help every case which comes to us. – diana.
