Destined to make it….. 

      Not even 3 weeks old and Gizmo had already lived an eventful life.  He and his mother, Yasmine, had been on the streets fending for themselves when they were found.  They were brought to an older, crowded shelter in Los Angeles.  Gizmo’s mom apparently did not like the cage and forced her way out.  Carrying her single kitten, she climbed up into the roof space and decided to live there.  The next morning when she was discovered missing, the building was searched and the runaways were found and returned to their kennel.

      Shortly after, they were transferred to us.  Yasmine was friendly and outgoing, always asking to be petted and loved.  Although she loved Gizmo, it was soon evident that he was not receiving the care he required, so the decision was made to pull the kitten and hand raise him.  One of the medical team volunteered to take him home so little Gizmo was packed up and went to live with his new caregiver.

      When offered a bottle, he did not seem to even have the energy to drink so he was tube fed so he would receive the nutrition he needed.  His caregiver also noticed that he had a little scab on his neck and that his head seemed a little soft and had two lumps on it.  The next day one of the lumps broke open and he was taken immediately to the vet.  They determined he had an abscess, probably caused by Yasmine’s tooth when she was carrying him around.  The abscess was drained and flushed and he was started on antibiotics.  Almost immediately he began to feel better and started to nurse from a bottle, although his head looked a little funny without hair!

      Gizmo is now almost ready to be altered and find his forever family.  He is living happily in his foster home with a special needs cat and four Chihuahuas.  He is well socialized and loving.   Gizmo is lucky that he made it through the critical episodes in his early life.  If he had not been saved from the streets or found in the roof space …if he had not come to the Center and had his abscess treated, he might not have made it to be a happy healthy kitten.  We are watching him with pleasure and look forward to him finding his forever home.