I was originally raising money for Walk for Paws in honor of our shelter's notorious barn cat alum, Chuckie. But last week, a new little furball fell into my lap (literally).

You may have seen Roo on the news this week - she's a superstar and a hero now, after all. Roo is a 1 month old kitten who last week, was handed over to one of our Animal Protective Services officers while they were out responding to a stray dog call. Roo was wrapped in duct tape, and while that's horrific, what was underneath the tape was worse. The duct tape was hiding an untreated and infected severed front leg. 

They quickly brought her back to the shelter to be seen by one of our amazing vets, and there was only one option - to amputate and try to save her life. Doing any surgery on a 1 month, 1 pound kitten is risky and the first 48 hours after would be crucial. But there wasn't a choice. It was do the emergency surgery, and she may die due to her size - or that she would die from the infection. 

Well we were going to give it all we got. Our amazing veterinarian worked diligently with the team to perform emergency surgery to remove what was left of her leg, and clean out as much of the infection as possible. I was asked to foster her - as my love for special cases is well known at work. And Roo was fighting right beside us. She's super sweet and social, and loves nothing more than to snuggle, unless food is an option. 

And Roo is a fighter. She's spunky, and fiesty, and has lots of things to say (or yell) when she wants something or doesn't get her way. She will even try and take a nibble if you're preventing her from getting to what she wants (in the sweetest most adorable way possible). 

Roo's fighting spirit, and our amazing team at Brandywine Valley SPCA are what saved her life. And now, she has put on weight, and is healing up well. She's able to hobble around and is building muscles, which at some point soon I have no doubt will propel her up the couch to whatever toy she wants next. 

But wait, there's more. Roo wasn't the only animal living in poor conditions. After bringing Roo in, our Animal Protective Services team obtained a search warrant for the house and found 37 OTHER ANIMALS including cats, kittens, a dog, a bunny, and a turtle. Some of the animals had injuries such as infected eyes, untreated wounds like Roo, and upper respiratory infections. 

The suspect has been identified and charged. I'd like to be able to say that this sort of neglect and cruelty is rare, but sadly it's more common than most people know.

That's why we need your support for events like Walk for Paws. The funds raised are VITAL to allowing us to rescue and rehabilitate animals who come from horrific conditions and lack of care, like Roo did. They allow us to work to prevent future cases like this, and seek justice for those who have been subject to it. 

Please help support Roo and her housemates' care, and other survivors like them. Click DONATE NOW! 

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