On Monday, while pulled over at a rest stop between Merritt and West Kelowna, a kind samaritan spotted a fluffy gray cat peeking out of the ditch. Concerned for his well being, she approached the cat, only to realize that he was having trouble walking on his back leg, and needed help.
Thankfully, despite being very scared, the cat allowed her to scoop him up and into her car to be brought safely home with her in Kelowna.
His rescuer created a safe space for him in her bathroom and gave him food, water and warmth then reached out to one of our partner veterinarians, who helped facilitate his intake for urgent care through Okanagan Humane Society (OHS).
Upon vet examination, Malachite, the name given to him by his rescuer, was infested with fleas, very thin, and worst of all – upon exam and x-ray, was discovered to have fractured pelvis. He had not been neutered, and had no form of identification by way of microchip or tattoo.
Based on his condition, it is suspected that Malachite was possibly hit by or thrown from a car, and abandoned on the side of the highway.
Unfortunately, without massive surgical intervention, there isn’t another solution for Malachite’s broken pelvis other than pain management and resting in a low activity crate for 2 weeks or more in hopes of him healing naturally from the painful ordeal. With time, treatment, and kindness from his rescuer under the veterinary care and guidance provided by OHS, we hope he will heal up and be able to walk and live normally again.
In addition to parasite treatment, pain management and a complete veterinary check up, Malachite will receive essential medical care including neuter, vaccines, microchip and deworming.
Thanks to the generosity of his rescuer, and the support of our community, Malachite has been given a second chance.
OHS has seen a significant increase in cases of animals being dumped or abandoned this year, with the inflationary economy, desperate housing shortage, and reports of shelters turning animals away.
Despite having made it through “rescue season” which happens throughout the summer months when community animals are reproducing at record rates, the cases continue to pour in at a rapid rate.
Malachite is just one of more than a dozen lost, abandoned and homeless animals that OHS has helped this week alone.
This is in addition to requests for low income spay/neuter and emergency medical which is at an all-time high. The average cost of care for an OHS animal is $30, however the cost of care for medical cases such as these can cost on average $1000-1500 per animal, or more. OHS has now helped over 3,200 animals in 2024 alone.
To donate to help Malachite and animals like him, you can donate today at https://okanaganhumanesociety.com/donate/
Programs include spay/neuter and medical help for pets of low-income families, rescue of lost, stray, abandoned or feral animals, medical emergency, pet adoptions, reuniting lost pets and people, and compassionate board. The organization takes a foster home-based approach to animal care with up to 300 animals in foster throughout the Okanagan Valley at any given time.
To learn more about how to build a cat shelter or to learn more about OHS, go to www.okanaganhumanesociety.com or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
