She was 14 years old but only weighed the same as a 4 month old kitten. Nobody expected the kitty to survive, but she did triumphantly!
Meet Raggedy Ann!
Raggedy Ann weighed a pitiful 3 pounds and 15 ounces, just skin and bones when she came to Saving One Life, a rescue group in Chandler, Arizona. The calico is at least 14 years old.
Ann was rescued by a local Humane Society from a horrific hoarding situation, living in a double-wide mobile home with 40 other cats and 2 dogs. Most of the staff at the Humane Society were worried that the scrawny calico would not be able to hang on much longer. When they posted a photo begging a rescue to take her and foster her, Saving One Life knew they had to help.
"When the director and I saw the photo, our hearts just broke," Brianne Youngberg, fosterer of Saving One Life, told Love Meow.
"Our wonderful director agreed that she is the reason that Saving One Life exist, but warned me that just from that photograph my fostering would more than likely be hospice care."
"The first night she was home with me, she slept so soundly that at one point I swore she had passed. However, she proved us all wrong," Brianne told Love Meow.
Ann is a fighter. They keep track of her weight, and every day she puts on a few ounces.
Brianne started her on some kitten wet food mixed with warm water, so it would be easy for her to eat and her body to digest. For severely malnourished cats, it may take some time for their system to get used to food, but Ann ate like a champ!
She could barely lift her head or even stand due to muscle loss, so they set up a warm, heated bed and paired it with a cuddly toy to make her feel comfortable. Everything she needed was within reach so Ann could focus on relaxing and healing.
"Everyday for the first two weeks, I had to give her subq fluids to ensure she was staying hydrated," Brianne said.
With a lot of love, Ann began to put on weight and regain strength in her legs. Her purrsonality started to shine.
"Everyday my husband and I are blown away with how much progress that she has made," Brianne told Love Meow.
"She is now out and about, socializing with our cats and other fosters, climbing the cat trees and playing with toys. I think at least once a day we look at her and comment that she is a true feline now."
Despite her past, Ann is all love. She is affectionate at heart and loves human companions.
"She loves to put her eyes and ears to work, soaking up the sights and sounds of the world around her. Climbing cat trees, bird watching from the windows and observing her humans are two of her favorite things to do," Brianne told Love Meow.
In just four months, Ann has tripled her weight from less than 4 pounds to now over 10 pounds. She is so resilient and her will to live is so strong that it's inspiring.
"This sweet girl fought and proved us all wrong. When I took her in I assumed it most likely, because of her condition, would be for hospice care. She never gave up, so neither did we."
"She has completely re-energized my soul and focus on fostering. She came at a time I was questioning everything and had lost all hope in humanity. She has shown me to never give up and every single life is precious."
Ann has an enormous heart and can't wait to share all of her love with a special family of her own.
Raggedy Ann exploring in her foster home and hanging out with her fellow fosters.
Share this story and help Ann find a loving home this Christmas. If you are interested in adopting, click here for more information. If you would like to help with Ann's medical expenses or support their rescue efforts, click here to see how you can help. Follow Saving Raggedy Ann on Facebook. Following Saving One Life on Facebook. (h/t: Cole and Marmalade)
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