The resilience and strength of kittens and cats is often astounding. Despite facing unspeakable hardships and injuries, they can make such dramatic recoveries that the word “miracle” is the only way to describe it. And for one little ‘Tadpole,’ the story only becomes more incredible!
Warning: The following pictures may be disturbing to some viewers!
Tadpole Miraculously Survived a Severe Amputation
A cute tuxedo kitten, Tadpole, shouldn’t be alive right now. And yet, he is, after rescuers in Tampa, Florida, found him with a traumatic leg amputation. Even for a rescuer who has cared for all manner of injuries, Britt Lynn from Happy Tailz Cat Rescue, it was extreme.
The rescuers pulled him from the euthanasia list at the county shelter with the injury, possibly from a car engine.
“We don’t have any idea what happened to him as he was turned in this way but he likely experienced some sort of traumatic event,” the rescue shared.
Tadpole’s right front leg was just gone, and there’s no telling how he survived it. Upon inspection, they discovered the remaining bone was surrounded by severely infected tissue.
“Usually, they have a bone sticking out or deformity. But this leg was just gone, and he was anemic,” Britt explained. “But it was a miracle he lived! He should have, for all intents and purposes, bled out before he could be saved. He is really a miracle!”
Along with the severe leg injury, his eye on the same side was damaged. To top it off, he was full of parasites, constipated, and dehydrated. Yet somehow, he remained very friendly with his saviors (see video below).
“This has been the most traumatically severed leg I’ve ever seen,’ Britt shared with Cole and Marmalade.
Video shared with Cole and Marmalade by Happy Tailz Cat Rescue, Inc.
Tadpole Recovers From Surgery
There was no time to waste, and Tadpole went straight to Plummer Pet Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida. They quickly made room for him so he could be immediately treated, which was critical to his survival. His amputation, vaccination, and neutering would cost over $1.2K, but there was no time to raise the funds. Thankfully, kind donors quickly covered half the costs.
Just a day after surgery, the kitten was already bouncing back strong!
“Tadpole did AMAZING during surgery yesterday! He was a bit out of sorts when he got home, but he’s back to his naughty self today . His amputation site looks AMAZING, and again, we can’t thank Plummer Pet Hospital enough for dealing with our babies so quickly, efficiently, AND throughly,” the thankful rescue shared.
After some expected complications post-surgery due to the prior severe infection, the kitten did astoundingly well!
“Thankfully, 18 days after intake, Tadpole has already been cleared for adoption and his incision looks AMAZING!”
The Purrfect Happy Ending!
Here’s where you might shed more happy tears because this is the purrfect happy ending! As soon as Tadpole was ready to find a home, a woman came forward on Facebook to say she was excited to bring him home to her son, Jay Ryon, who is also an amputee!
“We are picking this sweet boy up tomorrow. His new best friend is an amputee too!” said Maggie Denk. “We are so excited. Jay is counting down the hours,” she added.
At the end of June, Jay got his wish, and brought the kitten home furever. And this kitten will share many adventures with his boy and many new friends at a wonderful camp in Sorrento, Florida.
“Tadpole is on his way home. This is such a purrfect adoption. The adopter drove two hours out to St. Pete this morning with her family to pick this cutie up for their son, who is also an amputee. They immediately loved him, and Tadpole just chilled in everyone’s arms as they passed him around. He’s going to have an adventure today at Camp Challenge, where his new momma is the director. A lot of kids are excited to meet a kitty who is a little different, too. We are so happy for this baby’s life ahead and to have met such a cool family.”
Easterseals Florida Camp Challenge
Long ago, Jay faced amputation of his left arm as a leukemia patient at 10 years old. His mom credited his rapid recovery to growing up at Easterseal Camp Challenge, where she is the director.
“Jay has been exposed to individuals with disabilities his whole life. He knows it doesn’t have to hold him back from anything,” said Maggie.
He Was ‘Waiting For a Friend Like This’
After the incredibly heart-warming adoption, Maggie thanked the rescuers for the opportunity to adopt their new family member.
“Happy Tailz Cat Rescue, Inc is a non-profit rescue that works to save sick and injured animals. We could not be more grateful for the opportunity to adopt little Tadpole. Jay has been waiting for a friend like this for a long time. The cost of saving these animals is not cheap. If you are so inclined please consider donating to them!” said Maggie.
You can follow and support Happy Trailz Cat Rescue on Facebook and Instagram.
