What a difference a few months make.
Four-month old kitten Ella jumped with ease from the couch in the 麻豆社国产Valley SPCA office to the counter Friday afternoon. She鈥檚 the picture of health.
鈥淪he鈥檚 fabulous,鈥� said Marika聽Donnelly, SPCA 麻豆社国产Valley Branch manager as she offered Ella a treat.
Three months ago, things were bleak for the grey fur ball.
When she was five weeks old, Ella was found in a dumpster north of Pemberton. Her left leg, toes on her right leg and her tail were crushed.
At the time, Donnelly predicted Ella would lose her leg because of the severity of her injuries, but Ella鈥檚 recovery has surpassed Donnelly鈥檚 wildest dreams.
鈥淎ll of a sudden she just went into this super healing mode,鈥� said Donnelly. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know, even our vet was pretty stunned.鈥�
Half of Ella鈥檚 tail was amputated, as well as one toe; the other toe remains but is useless. Ella also must live with dislocated vertebrae.
But the losses haven鈥檛 had a severe impact on the kitten鈥檚 mobility.
鈥淪he runs around like normal,鈥� Donnelly said, adding without the use of toes, Ella balances on the pads of her feet.
The kitten may be more prone to developing arthritis when she is older, Donnelly said, but she will require no special care.
Ella is now ready for a new, permanent home, and an adoption is pending, Donnelly said.
鈥淪he has been a fabulous little ambassador for us,鈥� said Donnelly. Ella was even the star of a few SPCA community events and did 鈥渁mazing,鈥� the manager noted.
The 麻豆社国产SPCA raised more than $7,000 in donations for Ella鈥檚 surgeries. In the end, Ella鈥檚 care cost less than was raised so leftover funds were diverted to help other animals at the shelter in need of care, including a diabetic cat and a dog in need of emergency surgery, according to Donnelly.
