BARNETT, THE DOWNTOWN KITTY
This is a story
about a kitten that brought many people together just to help him. On
Monday,
June 28, 2004, we received a call on our rescue line about a kitten that
had just been hit by a car. An employee of Smith Barnett Insurance Co.
had seen the kitten get hit on Eugene Street in downtown Greensboro. An
ARFP rescue team member went in search of that kitten. Hidden way up
underneath a bush on this very busy road was a black & white kitten
severely injured, emaciated and frightened to death.
Upon
examination Tuesday morning at a local veterinary office it was
determined that there were
two options for this
kitten. Euthanasia or amputation of his left front leg. His left front
leg was crushed from the shoulder down with permanent nerve damage. He
also had a severe upper respiratory infection that needed treating.
One of the above was not an option and many, many people in Greensboro came together to make sure of it! An e-mail was sent out to our volunteer list and before long we started getting e-mails from people promising to send $10, $20 and more for the downtown kitty. People even offered to foster him or adopt him when he was well enough.
Before the kitten
could withstand surgery he needed to have antibiotics and get fattened
up for 5-7 days. He was picked up from the veterinary office and taken
to be nurtured. Soon this kitten
was dubbed “Barnett”, the downtown kitty, by ARFP volunteers that were
caring for him.
On Monday. July 5, Barnett had surgery. He came through like a real trooper! He’ll get to come home tomorrow. I went to visit him today and he immediately started head butting me for his head and belly rubs. He looked so tiny in his cage in the surgery ward. His left front leg is gone but his zest for life is definitely still there! This kitten will go on to lead a wonderful life due to the caring people of Greensboro that came to his rescue, in many ways!
Special Update on Barnett
He
is doing oh-so-well! Barnett is still on antibiotics for the nasty
upper respiratory infection but is improving daily. On July 8, he
decided it was time to start playing! He is currently getting showered
with affection from his caregivers.
For those of you that would like to meet Barnett, he will be at the Next Step Adoption Center Saturday, July 17, from 11am-3. Next Step is located off W. Friendly Ave. at 705 Milner Drive.
We would love for you to stop by and see how much your donations and prayers helped this little guy! Many of you are responsible for him being here today!
Breaking News on Barnett!
The little guy is in recovery and has even started to play! Showing no fear, Barnett has become master of the kitty toys and has even staged a daring daylight escape (from his cage)! Because of your kind donations, ARFP was able to give Barnett a second lease on life.
