A recent news story out of Des Moines, Iowa, absolutely broke our hearts when we stumbled upon it.
A young kitten was brought to the AHeinz57 Pet Rescue and Transport group this past Monday. The man who dropped him off didn’t know where else to go but knew he needed to get the kitten help.
He told them a devastating story.
Two weeks prior, the small kitten was seen being beaten with a baseball bat by some neighbors. Apparently this is not the first time these horrible humans have engaged in this type of behavior.
The woman who witnessed this rushed to the kitten’s aid as soon as she could. Seeing the injured kitten she pleaded with another individual to help her. However her uneducated idea of helping the kitten, was to have the kitten shot!
There was no way he could do this, even if it meant an end to the kittens suffering. So he brought the kitten to his relative, now the 3rd person recruited to help.
This man wisely and quickly researched and found the pet rescue, knowing the baby needed medical attention. He hurried to bring the suffering cat to the professionals.
The poor baby had endured the pain for 2 weeks!
As soon as the staff saw the kitten, they knew he needed surgery immediately!
Christine Adams, Medical Director of the Iowa Veterinary Referral Center told the reporters that, “He was skinny, his jaw was misaligned, he had a lot of swelling, a lot of scarred tissue and he had no sensation in his limb.”
The kitten, now called Sunkist, is recovery after surgery. They confirmed he had a broken jaw and a severely broken leg.
Sadly, he did have to have his front leg amputated due to the injuries.
Authorities in Appanoose County, where the kitten was found initially, are currently working on tracking down the criminals who did this to Sunkist.
If you have any information or see animal abuse in your area, PLEASE SAY SOMETHING!
While Sunkist is recovering from his ordeal, he will forever have the scars of his difficult past. That hasn’t stopped him from enjoying a good meal or purring his gratitude to the hospital and rescue staff.
AHeinz57 Pet Rescue began raising funds to help cover the cost of Sunkist’s surgery on their Facebook page. More than 190 generous people donated and raised over $5,000 for his medical bills!
What makes this group of special people even more extraordinary?
AHeinz57 is a DOG rescue organization! That didn’t stop them for a second in helping one needy little kitten.
Their website explains the amazing way they are able to help canines in their area. If you live in the area and want to help them out, please be sure to contact them right away.
A Foster-Based Animal Rescue Organization
AHeinz57 Pet Rescue & Transport, Inc. is a 501(c)3, non-profit, foster-based animal rescue organization, headquartered in De Soto, IA. We are a unique rescue organization in that we exist mainly to bridge the gap between traditional animal shelters and no-kill rescues in 2 different ways:
1) By providing free transportation for dogs from traditional shelters to no-kill rescues all over the Midwest and Canada. We also provide overnight rest stops for our furry travelers and temporary housing for those whose time has run out at the shelters, but have to wait for a foster spot to open up in one of the rescues.
2) By pulling dogs out of traditional shelters that are on death row and placing them in foster homes and forever homes through our organization.
SEE THE FULL STORY HERE!
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What can be said? Not much, I say. How terrific of the dog rescue was to help. We sure could use this type of rescue in our area. Our area is so overwhelmed by pets. I’m so happy for Sunkist to have the help he deserves. It makes me sick how people can treat animals. I just can’t figure people out and what should happen to the people that do things like this.
This story is one example of why I feel those who abuse animals and children should be executed. They go up the food chain, and abuse adults.
if rhis ou aheinz.57was witnessed by that woman she should turn those idiots in. i would in a heartbeat, my solution? give them the same tretment they gave that poor defenseless kitten only worse and beat them enough so they have to lose one of their limbs ad see how they like being disabled. i can’t really say wht i want here because of the language i’d use lol thank you aheinze.57 for sving this baby and giving him a chance at life.
Can I adopt Sunkist?
You can certainly contact the shelter directly and apply =) Good luck!
Aww this is almost like my little Morgana. She was found as a tiny kitten with a several broken leg and injuries and i can never forgive whoever did that to her…