WISCONSIN – A young cat who was badly burned with chemicals and then abandoned is recovering with the help of a Kenosha rescue group.
Kenosha Forgotten Friends actually specializes in caring for and eventually finding adoptive homes for animals with medical problems.
The group, which works very closely with Kenosha veterinarian Dr. William Carlisle, has been gaining a reputation with animal shelters in the area as a place to turn for dogs and cats that might likely otherwise be euthanized because of their medical needs.
So when Chicago Animal Control stumbled upon up a young cat wandering on the street that had horrible burns covering its side, shelter staff called Sandy Majest on Saturday to ask if Forgotten Friends might consider taking the kitten.
“She was set to be euthanized,” Majest stated.
She mentioned that she had spoken to Carlisle, and they looked at photos of the cat’s injuries.
“He said, ‘Oh my God; we’re getting her here. We can’t say no,’” Majest stated.
Since this past Sunday, the cat — who has since been named Phoenix — has been staying at Carlisle’s home and that is where she is being treated for the burns, which cover about 80 percent of one side of her body.
She is now getting regular medicated baths, laser treatments and pain medications.
Majest noted that the cat, estimated to be about 7 or 8 months old, is also emaciated and suffering from an upper respiratory infection.
“Once that is all healed, then surgery will probably be required because there will be lots of scar tissue, and scar tissue can cause a lot of problems with pain,” Majest stated. “It’s going to take a long, long time for her to heal.”
Despite all of that, Majest went on to say that Phoenix is affectionate and is dealing with her treatment well. Carlisle expects her to make a full recovery.
“He loves these kinds of cases, and that’s why we are here,” Majest noted.
Founded back in 2013, Kenosha Forgotten Friends is run by unpaid volunteers working out of their homes.
Majest went on to explain that most typical animal shelters have a hard time financially dealing with tough medical cases with vet bills that can cost thousands of dollars for one animal.
Forgotten Friends indeed does take in and find homes for typical, healthy pets, however, the group has a special focus on sick or injured animals.
Among the special cases just this year: two kittens that needed eye surgery, another kitten who needed to have a deformed leg amputated, and a dog with a serious laceration on his neck.
The organization seeks donations to help cover the cost of treatment for Phoenix and other animals it cares for. Donations may be made through its website, www.kenoshaforgottenfriends.com
