When a cat rescue group set out to do some good for the strays in the community, they had no idea that they would be saving the life of a dog that day!
Kathryn Walton, founder of The American Street Cat, Inc. (TASC) in Texas, was working on a cat project in the Houston area when a volunteer approached her with some startling news. The volunteer had stumbled upon the scene of a brown dog who’d just been struck by a car. A good Samaritan had stopped to help, but the driver of the car had not.
TASC rushed the pup to the emergency vet, where it was discovered that he had a host of injuries. He had multiple pelvic fractures, a trauma-related liver issue, and was also positive for heartworm.
The 2-3 year old dog appeared to be a stray, with no microchip or identification, plus he hadn’t been neutered. It seemed that no one was missing him, and therefore, he had no one to give him the special care he’d need.
TASC, whose mission revolves around rescuing cats, could have tried to transfer the pup to a dog rescue group, or even taken the “easy way” out and had him euthanized. Instead, they took him under their wing, naming him Remy and making him an “honorary street cat.”
They knew that the road to recovery would be long and difficult, and the vet bills would put a huge strain on the nonprofit rescue’s limited resources.
“His expenses are greater than we’ve ever encountered in our line of rescue work,” reads the pup’s YouCaring page. But that didn’t stop TASC from vowing to give Remy the treatment that he desperately needed.
The pup has had pelvic surgery, which was followed by an intense round of heartworm treatment. His life-saving recovery also includes constant physical therapy, medications and frequent doctor’s appointments.
“Remy is doing very well,” Walton told iHeartDogs. “His left side was the more complicated fracture and surgical repair, so he still treads a bit lightly there as far as weight-bearing goes. We have a pretty intense daily schedule of walks, warm-packing, medications, and physical therapy exercises.”
Despite all he’s been through, Remy remains in good spirits, and is enjoying the love and attention that he’s getting from all his caretakers.
“Remy tolerates it all with great obedience when he’s not asking for belly rubs or doling out kisses!” Walton said.
The persevering pup will eventually be looking for his forever home, but only when he’s good and ready. In the meantime, he’s loving life as an “honorary street cat”!
The folks at TASC prove that true animal lovers never turn their backs on any animal in need, no matter the sacrifice. They’ve set up a fundraising page to help cover Remy’s medical costs while they continue to care for the kitties that are also depending on them!
(Isn’t he beautiful?!)
If you’d like to donate to help with Remy’s recovery, visit his YouCaring page by clicking here.
Thank you to Kathryn Walton and everyone at TASC for taking it upon yourselves to care for this sweet boy! We’ll keep rooting for you, Remy!
Update:
It’s been 5 months, and sweet Remy is doing amazingly well! Walton tells iHeartDogs that he’s undergone extensive treatment for his injuries, but it’s really paid off!
“My post-op at-home physical therapy regimen wasn’t enough for a complete recovery, so Remy was enrolled in a 20 session pain management and rehabilitation program with Animal Clinic of the Woodlands in Houston,” Walton explained.
“Remy’s days at the ‘spa’ included stretches, an underwater treadmill, hot tub sessions, laser treatments, and trigger point therapy, and his improvement was remarkable!”
While the rescue founder is open to adopting the pup out to a different forever family, she admits that she may become a “foster failure” and that home may be with her! (We can’t blame her – who wouldn’t fall in love with that face?!)
With dozens of cats to support in addition to Remy, The American Street Cat is still working on raising money to help with the pup’s medical costs. If you’d like to contribute, visit his YouCaring page.
We’re so glad that Remy got the second chance that he deserved, and know he’ll find the perfect forever home – wherever that may be!
