Finn the kitten had a fractured spine, but managed to swim for his life, right into the arms of a loving rescuer.
Over the summer, Laura Walker, 18, went fishing on the banks of the Mississippi River in Cassville, Wisconsin. Suddenly, she saw two young men in a truck throw something into the water from the hill. At first, Walker thought it must have been a rock. However, she heard meowing and was shocked to see it was a kitten.
So, she called for it, and the kitten somehow managed swim to her. Holding the kitten in her shirt, Walker approached a nearby fisherman who identified Brandon Klein as one of the men in the truck.
According to a release, Klein intended to kill the kitten because it had paralyzed back legs. However, at first, Walker didn’t realize something was wrong until she brought the cat home. When she noticed his legs didn’t seem to be working normally, she and her mom Kandy Krohn rushed the kitten to the vet.
Laura Walker with Finn via Facebook
A Fractured Spine – but Not Paralyzed
After a vet check, they were relieved to learn that the 6-week-old kitten was not paralyzed.
“His injuries are two fractures in his spine, and he is unable to walk on his feet, but he crawls,” Walker posted on Facebook.
Soon, the kitten was already showing significant improvement.
“He’s doing way better,” Walker told WKOW. “He’s starting to walk on his toes instead of dragging his legs. So it’s a really good sign.”
Images via Facebook/ For the Love of Finn
Finn Earns a Name and a Forever Home
Right away, the mother and daughter decided they would adopt the kitten. Then, he earned a name inspired by the Mississippi River: Finn.
“Since he was just a strong swimmer against the Mississippi current, I just decided to name him accordingly,” Walker said.
To them, the kitten was a miracle, and Finn even has an “M” shape on his forehead.
Following the incident, deputies responded. After speaking to multiple witnesses, they had reason to believe that Brandon Klein intended to kill the kitten. According to the Madison State Journal, charges of mistreatment of animals were referred to the District Attorney.
To Krohn, what happened served as a lesson.
“Fin wasn’t meant to die,” Krohn said. “He was meant to thrive. I guess it’s a lesson. Don’t throw something with a beating heart away.”
Finn Improves Dramatically
At regular vet checks, Finn received doses of anti-inflammation medication. Within days, the family saw dramatic improvements.
Then, Walker organized a GoFundMe to help raise funds for Finn’s care at the veterinarian’s suggestion. Soon, they had reached their goal.
“This boy just gets stronger every day and amazes us with every step,” they wrote on For The Love of Finn, a page created for the kitten’s many supporters.
In updates, Walker shared that Finn was standing on his feet while eating. “A HUGE progression,” she wrote. Days later, she added:
“Our baby is doing sooo good❤️ Thank you too all helping him absolutely thrive!!”
Below, you can see Finn gets plenty of love.
For the Love of Finn
Every day, you can see how much Finn truly is thriving, with regular posts on For the Love of Finn. As you can see, this kitten is living a wonderful life.
The tiny kitten plunged into a mighty river and swam right into the arms of a kind soul there at exactly the right moment.
