Highway, a cat found abused and abandoned on I-95, needs help after rescue

An abandoned and injured cat was found at a highway rest stop in Darien last week, and police are asking for help with the kitty’s care.

The black cat, now named “Highway,” was found Jan. 24 at the I-95 rest stop, police said Tuesday. An animal control officer from New Canaan arrived to help state troopers by taking the freezing cat off their hands, and he was taken to a veterinarian to be checked out.

It was there that the animal control officer, Allyson Halm, learned the cat had two broken legs and that its right eye looked unusual because of trauma, New Canaan police said.

Halm said the cat, who was believed to have been at the rest stop all weekend, is scheduled to have the eye removed.

“The poor guy,” Halm said. “When I got there, he was very still and very subdued.” He could walk, but X-rays showed that the bones in two of his legs were broken.

Halm reached out to the Norwalk-based Pet Animal Welfare Society, Inc., and “PAWS did not hesitate to help,” said New Canaan Lt. Jason Ferraro.

“Despite the suspected abuse, Highway remains a sweet and trusting animal,” he said.

Halm said Highway has “a long road in front of him. We are hoping people might come forward to help” pay for his pending surgeries and rehabilitation.

Those who would like help are asked to call PAWS at 203-750-9572, police said. The address is PAWS, 504 Main St., Norwalk, Connecticut 06851.

Christine Dempsey may be reached at cdempsey@courant.com.