My story began in early April, 2013 when I was trapped behind a market where I was living as an unwanted and uncared for feral cat. I was heavily pregnant. Castoff Pet Rescue, Inc. heard about me and sent their trapper out; they always try to capture pregnant cats and let them raise their kittens in a safe place. I was taken to the veterinarian and was healthy except for my eyes, which were damaged from untreated infections. I was terrified! I tried to escape; I tried to intimidate my captors with fierce growls. I could not appreciate the wonderful future about to unfold.
I was taken to a foster home where I raised my three beautiful kittens. I was such a good mother, my foster mom allowed me to raise an additional six motherless litters. I was handled every day and at first I let her know how much I didn’t like it, by pinning my ears back, glaring and hissing. My caregiver was patient and by the time I was spayed five months later, I had discovered I really liked pets! I really, really liked TREATS! I was very happy now to have scratches on my back and even belly rubs.
When CPR traps feral moms they are usually spayed and released back to their environment after raising their litters; because of my eyes and my limited vision, that was not an option. I was taken in for surgery to repair one of my eyes, making me more comfortable. I was then returned to my foster home where I continued to work on my social skills. I was no longer caged and had the run of the basement nursery. I learned that I was safe! I could come to my foster mom and ask for pets or treats, I could sit on her lap and enjoy being loved. I was still timid around other people and visually impaired so my adoption potential in rural Georgia was poor. It was time to consider options for my future.
CPR is a member of the No More Homeless Pets network of partners with Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah. The regional NMHP specialist, Robin Politowicz, suggested we try to get me accepted to the sanctuary. I didn’t hold out a lot of hope, but I knew it would be a wonderful place for me to live until I found a forever, loving home. When I was accepted it was a dream come true. On November 1, 2013, I was flown by private jet to the sanctuary. I am now safe and secure for as long as it takes to find my adoptive family.
My story is an important one. I exemplify all the unwanted and cast aside pets. My potential was always there. I just needed to be noticed, cared about, nurtured and loved. CPR rescues hundreds of dogs and cats each year, yet they never lose sight of the ‘individual’ and spare no effort to find the best placement based on the animal’s needs.
I was nameless, unknown, unloved. Now, I am Inga.