June is Adopt-A-Cat Month. It’s the inspiration of the American Humane Association to call attention to the nearly 4 million cats that are abandoned every year. It’s also a reminder to the public that cats left to fend for themselves, are at risk for disease, abuse, starvation and many other dangers. A young cat by the name of Broke Back is one of these felines, but she not just a statistic. She is a real cat that someone threw away like the trash. Here is her story of abuse and the spirit to survive.
Broke Back is a terrible name for a cat, but it was the nickname given to her by the animal rescue group that saved her life. It was their way to lighten the tragic moment when they crawled under an abandoned trailer and found her twisted body.
Broke Back had been under the trailer for several days with a broken back, pelvis and hip.
Details from neighbors at the trailer park are sketchy about how the Tortoiseshell cat got hurt, but it was apparent to the rescue group that she had been beaten and left to die. That would have happened if a neighbor hadn’t taken the time to call for help.
The Heaven Can Wait Animal Society (HCWS) in Las Vegas, NV took Broke Back to a local veterinary hospital for a complete evaluation. Dr. David Henderson found that in addition to having a broken back, hip and pelvis, the cat also had multiple fractures in her spine. He explained the cat faced several surgeries over the next few months and many more months of rehabilitation.
HCWS made the decision to have the costly surgeries performed and over the next seven months, Broke Back underwent a series of operations to repair the damage done to her.
Nearly one year later Broke Back has not only healed, but she is ready to be adopted. The cat has also dropped her nickname for the more suitable name of Katira. It means “ray of light.”
“Yea, she limps a little, but hey she also uses the litter box, rolls over, plays with other cats and loves to purr. Even though her nickname is Broke Back, there is nothing broken about this cat’s spirit,” wrote Warken.
Click Here to see the complete story and photos of Broke Back's recovery.
Help the American Humane Association spread the word about Adopt-A-Cat Month. Please share with others that “wonderful cats of every breed, age and personality waiting for homes in animal shelters.”
