Senior cat finds healing and hope at Palmetto Animal League

By Lindsay Perry

Contributor

“Though no one can go back and make a brand-new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand-new ending.” - Carl Bard

Target was adopted from Palmetto Animal League in 2014. At just a year old, he had his whole life ahead of him. Ten years later, you can imagine our dismay when Target came back to PAL in terrible shape. A good Samaritan rescued him, and he arrived at our adoption center in critical condition. He couldn’t walk, and he was so thin you could see all his bones. To make matters worse, Target’s skin was covered in scabs.

“His skin was so irritated that when he tried to scratch an itch, he’d scratch so hard he’d fall over,” recounts PAL President Amy Campanini. “It was almost like he was having a seizure. It was so bad.”

Our vets at the PAL Veterinary Clinic examined the now 11-year-old Target, and radiographs revealed an old injury to his hind end. We have no idea how long he was outside on his own trying to survive. Once safely at PAL, good food, a soothing bath and medication to ease his discomfort started Target on his journey toward healing.

“Proper nutrition has allowed him to make an incredible recovery,” says Campanini. “His weight is almost back to normal, his itching fits have nearly stopped, and his beautiful, tabby fur is coming back beautifully. But the most incredible thing is that he’s walking!”

While he’ll never walk normally again due to the long-ago injury, Target gets around amazingly well.

“He will never jump on your furniture or counters, and he is the most affectionate cat,” says Campanini. “All he wants are naps and attention.”

Change the life of a homeless pet this holiday season during Palmetto Animal League’s “Season of Second Chances.” We are waiving adoption fees for cats, kittens and adult dogs through January 4. All pets are spayed/neutered, microchipped and up to date on vaccinations.

Can’t adopt? You can still make a difference! Drop by the PAL Adoption Center at 56 Riverwalk Blvd in Okatie for our Holiday Open House Saturday, December 14 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy cookies, cocoa and lots of good cheer as you spend time with homeless, yet hopeful, pets. Please consider bringing a donation to make their holidays a little brighter.

As for Target, this gentle, loving senior cat is waiting to start his brand-new ending with someone like you.   

Lindsay Perry is the Marketing Coordinator for Palmetto Animal League. www.PalmettoAnimalLeague.org