PAWS of Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap: Emergency Medical Grant Report

How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?

The grant for $1,000 from the Petfinder Foundation will help PAWSBINK offset some of the costs of Clawdius’s surgery so PAWS funds can concentrate on his care management.

This was a surprise expense, so we did not have time to turn to our community to raise the $1,680 for this amputation. We raised another $250 from our Crowdrise account to help with his amputation surgery. But Clawdius also needed extra funds for staff care and rehabilitation as well. The expense of this extra surgery and care has put a burden on our veterinary assistance for adoptable animals fund, which put almost $60,000 toward veterinary expenses last year. This doesn’t include the extra funds for his care.

How many pets did this grant help?

1

Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.

Clawdius is a white and tabby short-haired male cat who has been in our care for nine months. It was noticed while in his condo that he would hide and rarely come out of the bedroom. When he did, he couldn’t jump or move easily. X-rays determined he had hip dysplasia. Surgery for this condition was performed March 2018. While he was still in recovery, it was noticed that Clawdius was limping once again, but on the other hind leg. On Aug. 30, 2018, during a veterinary exam, x-rays were taken. He had suspicious changes in the membranes around his leg bone indicating cancer. The PAWS Program Committee, PAWS staff and his veterinarian, in consultation with the radiologist, recommended amputation as the best option for Clawdius to save his life. His right hind leg was amputated on Sept. 5, 2018.

We are pleased to report that Clawdius is doing very well with only three legs. The only time he seems to miss his right hind leg is when he wants to scratch an ear. He is now all over the place. He has a very sweet disposition and gets along with all cats, having come from a hoarding situation in which he was exposed to many cats. He loves to watch the birds and squirrels at the feeders outside his foster family’s home and chirps/chatters at them. He will be going up on Petfinder.com for adoption next week.