Matched to a "T"
 

Miss Coco Peru had a rough start in life. Found behind a deli rummaging for scraps with her two siblings at five weeks of age, Miss Coco had already been attacked by a predator.  Her left eye was hanging from its socket and her right cornea had been perforated and permanently scarred.  A PACT volunteer rescued the kittens and sought immediate veterinary care for them, including an emergency enucleation (eye removal) of Miss Coco’s left eye.  All were treated for a bad case of fleas, which would have further compromised the health of these tiny kittens who didn’t even weigh one pound each.

With proper veterinary care and a nurturing environment, the kittens soon showed signs of recovery.  Miss Coco made it through eye surgery and was getting around her foster home just fine, even though she could only see shadows from her remaining eye.  In the coming months, she and her siblings gained weight and received regular dewormers and vaccinations as they prepared for spay/neuter surgery, which is a prerequisite for adoption placement with PACT.

Miss Coco growing in her foster home.  Click a photo to see an enlargement.

 

During Miss Coco’s spay surgery, she stopped breathing and went into cardiac arrest.  A highly experienced veterinarian who operates an emergency animal hospital worked diligently for 30 minutes and was able to resuscitate Miss Coco.  The veterinarian told us we should rename her “Miracle” because she’s lucky to be alive.  Meanwhile, about 40 miles southwest of Miss Coco’s foster home, Julian Cachur laid his sick kitty to rest.   Julian’s surviving 5-year old rescued cat Tiresias (“T” for short), was becoming depressed without his playmate.   The senior kitty in the household, a beautiful Calico named “QQ” who is about 17 years old – but doesn’t look a day over 10 – was not up for T’s playful antics. 

Long ago, Julian made a promise to only adopt cats with special needs.  Years prior, he had adopted T from Humane Haven Animal Shelter (HHAS) in Bolingbrook, which led Julian to join them as a volunteer.  Now he faced a serious challenge: find a special needs cat to fit into the household.  Julian expanded his search to include shelters in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs to find the right companion for T and QQ. 

After receiving Julian's inquiry about our special needs cats, PACT went through each candidate – including one with high blood pressure, another with IBD, and one with a history of urinary tract crystals. Julian carefully weighed the needs of all these cats, including cost of prescription food, medication and veterinary visits, as well as temperament and disposition to determine if one might be a good fit for his household.

Then we mentioned Miss Coco.  T had an uncanny similarity to Miss Coco – T had also lost his left eye, contracted the feline herpes virus, and was on a daily Lysine supplement to help boost his immune system.  When Julian learned of Miss Coco’s playfulness with her foster-cat brother, who is about T's size and age, Julian set up an appointment to meet her.

Miss Coco was a little timid when Julian and his fiancé Cheryl arrived at her foster home, yet Julian and Cheryl waited patiently for 2-3 hours until Miss Coco came around.   The foster mom knew that they would be perfect adopters.  Julian and Cheryl left with a promise to call in a few days with a decision.   

Two days later, Julian called with the happy news:  Miss Coco was the cat for them!   

On the happy adoption day, Julian and Cheryl graciously allowed Miss Coco’s foster mom to go to Julian’s home and stay for a while to help Miss Coco's transition.  The foster mom had brought all of Miss Coco’s favorite things.  Meanwhile, T strutted around the house crying like a baby, fearing he wasn’t going to be the #1 cat (he need not worry; Miss Coco doesn’t want to be the top cat).   Miss Coco kept a respectful distance from QQ.  It was plain to see this was a match to a “T”!   

The next day, Julian reported that Miss Coco was over her shyness and was out and about antagonizing T, playing with her toys, and eating well.   Julian said it was as if she had been there her entire life.  

Miss Coco’s new name is Bird, since she chirps like a little bird.  It is quite a fitting name for our pretty little special needs kitty who fought twice to survive, and when she was finally ready, flew off to her forever home.