A cat was found wearing a coat of matts, wandering all alone. When rescuers began to shave off the matts, she let out the loudest purr.
Meet Lendy the cat.
Courtesy: Here Kitty Kitty Rescue
It was back in July when Here Kitty Kitty Rescue in Elkhart Indiana was alerted about an emaciated cat with severe matts and infected eyes and ears. They thought they had seen everything after all these years but not this case.
"When we first received a message and a photo of Lendy needing help we were horrified at her condition and knew we needed to rescue her. She was matted beyond belief, missing several teeth, and then tested positive for leukemia," Here Kitty Kitty Rescue said.
The kitty was found wandering outside. Her fur was so matted and tangled it was "indescribable."
"A good samaritan discovered Lendy after she appeared in her back yard," Tree House Humane Society wrote. "How she survived, is quite the miracle."
Courtesy: Here Kitty Kitty Rescue
"Until we started shaving her, we couldn't even tell if she was a boy or a girl. We cannot even imagine how painful it was for her to walk with her entire body matted so tight, and how she survived those 90 degree days with no relief."
"At first she was apprehensive of the shaving, but soon started purring! It nearly broke our hearts."
Courtesy: Here Kitty Kitty Rescue
After three hours of shaving and going through two pairs of trimmers, a new kitty emerged.
"The vet estimated her to be about 8 years old," Here Kitty Kitty Rescue told Love Meow. Lendy was spayed so someone took care of her at some point. "We kept thinking someone would come forward for her, that she must have just gotten lost, but no one came."
"This is all the matted fur after we were done shaving her."
Courtesy: Here Kitty Kitty Rescue
Lendy was purring up a storm after all the shaving. She was absolutely thrilled with canned food and getting her own soft bed. She kept checking to make sure her food and water were still there.
Lendy was tested positive for feline Leukemia, and needed to be separated from other non-leukemia cats.
"We knew we needed to find a solution for Lendy, she had already been through so much."
Courtesy: Here Kitty Kitty Rescue
They found Tree House Humane Society in Chicago that had just opened a feline leukemia adoption center. They happily accepted little Lendy to their program, but she didn't stay long.
Just six days after she moved into the new facility, her forever family came looking for her.
Courtesy: Here Kitty Kitty Rescue
"When an adopter came to us looking for an cuddly adult or senior kitty, this easygoing and playful sweetheart immediately came to mind," Tree House Humane Society said. "After meeting Lendy, the adopter fell in love!"
After months of treatment and care, Lendy has turned into quite the character. She is extremely easy going and sweet, and very playful. She LOVES her canned food and can't get enough of chin scratches.
"When she looks up at you with her head tilt and pretty blue eyes - your heart will be stolen!"
Photo: Tree House Humane Society
Now Lendy is purring at her forever home, happy and loved.
Share this story with your friends. If you would like to support their rescue efforts, click here to see how you can help. Follow Here Kitty Kitty Rescue on Facebook.
Related story: Woman Takes a Chance on a Lost Kitten, What a Difference a Day Makes