Kitten in need of home after losing front leg, NC shelter says. ‘Your heart will melt’
In his first four months of life, Mushu the kitten has already faced a few struggles.
The “spirited and resilient” cat has confronted sickness and a life-changing injury, but his next challenge to overcome is finding a place to call home, according to a Jan. 16 Facebook post from Iredell County Animal Services.
While at her workplace, a woman found Mushu coated in oil and debris, the shelter’s volunteer coordinator Tracy Sanchez told McClatchy News in an email. After being evaluated, a veterinarian deduced that the kitten may have been staking out in someone’s car engine.
Cleaning up Mushu was the least of the shelter’s worries however. There was serious trauma dealt to the kitten’s left front leg that damaged his nerves, and by the way Mushu was carrying himself, it seemed like the injury was worsening, Sanchez said.
The shelter then had to make the tough decision to amputate Mushu’s leg, Sanchez said.
“He is one lucky boy that it ended where it did and it brought him here to safety, and ultimately the chance at a whole new life with us to assist him in his next adventure!” Sanchez wrote.
The young kitten has had to adapt to life with only three legs, the shelter said in its post. Despite his injury, the fluffy black and white cat has developed “extraordinary grace and resilience,” the shelter said.
“His boundless energy and agility will leave you in awe as you watch him play, pounce, and explore his surroundings,” the shelter said.
Since coming to the shelter, Mushu “quickly won over all staff” because he’s been a “sweet kitty,” Sanchez said.
But the little kitten is also enduring through another hardship: a feline leukemia diagnosis.
Feline leukemia is a virus that targets a cat’s immune system, weakening it over time, the shelter said. It can be contagious to other cats.
He hasn’t shown any symptoms of the illness and appears to be healthy, according to the shelter. With the help of an owner who knows how to care for a cat with the disease, cats diagnosed with feline leukemia can live “happy fulfilling lives,” the shelter said.
“Mushu’s resilient and loving nature is a testament to his ability to overcome any obstacle life presents,” the shelter wrote.
As Mushu continues to look for a loving home to be a part of, the shelter recommended interested applicants either have other cats with feline leukemia or no cats.
“We are sure that when you see the joy in his eyes and feel the warmth of his purrs, your heart will melt and be his forever,” the shelter said.
The fee for adopting Mushu is $65, and he is already neutered, up-to-date on vaccinations and microchipped, Sanchez said.
Iredell County borders Mecklenburg County, which contains Charlotte.
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