Homeless Animals Rescue Team: Shelter Challenge Grant Report
How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?
The money for this grant was used to defray the costs associated with Lucky, a cat who was burned terribly and left to suffer in a rural shelter who wouldn't release him for vet care for 5 days.
This grant enabled us to help a truly needy animal who was suffering.
How many pets did this grant help?
One but our ability to help that one cat has helped our supporters start a fund to help other truly needy dogs and cats and the fund will now help many others.
Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.
Late Friday April 12th, a HART volunteer received a horrific picture with no explanation from a friend who is a vet tech at a Virginia vet clinic. The picture was of a cat brought in by animal control after reportedly being hit by a car. The truth about his injuries would prove to be more horrific.rnrnIt soon became clear that this poor cat had been doused with acid and suffered second degree burns – at the hands of a human. His shoulders neck and the back of his head were raw and riddled with blisters. The acid had even crept into the corner of one eyelid. Most injured animals, when in that much pain, lash out at those trying to help. They can’t help it, it’s just nature’s defense mechanism for them. Not this guy. He was purring and kneading the towel the whole time his wounds were being cleaned.rn rnOnce the volunteer heard his story and saw his pictures, she sent out an email to everyone she knew affiliated with an animal rescue. She knew she had to get this guy help quickly. Within minutes of sending the email, several HART volunteers offered their home to foster this poor guy. HART would ensure he got all the necessary treatment and, more importantly, all the love he could ever hope to receive. The call to action was answered and the troops were in place with battle strategies, ready to go. Except…the rural county shelter wouldn’t release him. rn rnAccording to the shelter director, they were required to abide by the stray period set forth in the state of Virginia. He was not eligible for release until five days after his intake date, which gave him a release date of April 18th. It didn’t matter that HART was anxious to save him and ease his suffering. He was a victim once again – this time to bureaucracy. During his five day hold, he had no medication for his pain and no antibiotics or creams to treat his skin.rn rnHART is determined to turn his story around. HART will ensure that “Lucky” as we are calling him will not suffer a day longer. rnrnLucky is not in a loving foster home where he is nearly recovered and loving life every day.
