Rescuers Take In Cats To Help Man With '1 Year To Live'

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — Mike Chiulli, a Douglasville resident who was given one year to live by doctors back in 2014, reached out to the community last week via Patch, hoping to find someone to give good homes to his four cats because he could no longer afford to take care of them. Chiulli said his prayers were answered when a local organization agreed to take the cats Thursday.

"Now we're just hoping the sick cats get the care they need," said Debra Singletary, director and founder of Georgia Animal Welfare Advocates, an advocate group out of Paulding County, that picked up the two sickest cats. The organization will pick up the two remaining cats before Monday, Jan. 22.

Sucky, the sickest of the four cats, seemed to be on his last legs, according to Chiulli, who said he was up, cat sitting, for two nights while the cat yowled in pain. Upon pickup, the cats were immediately taken to Atlanta West Veterinarian Hospital in Villa Rica.

Sucky is improving, according to veterinarian Dr. Win Burnett. He is stable, getting UV fluids, pain meds, antibiotics, vitamins and anti-inflammatory meds. His X-rays show extreme deterioration of his teeth and he will need a complete dental repair done which will cost from $400 to $600. The feline is currently hospitalized and that will add to the cost of his care.

White Boy, the second of Mike's cats, is also improving. He is being treated for severe ear infections and will need vaccines.

"The prognosis looks great for Sucky so far, barring there are no other complications," said Burnett. "Our staff is working diligently to get these cats healthy and back on their feet. We would like to wish Mike all the best in his endeavors and our prayers are with him. We also want him to know that his beloved pets are in good hands."

Chuilli's other two cats, Molly and Cally seem healthier and may not need as much medical attention but that will not be confirmed until the vet sees them on Monday.

Chuilli himself is in a lot of pain since he can't afford pain meds and some of the medical supplies he needs. When doctors discovered cancer in his bladder, they told him they needed to remove everything from his belly button on down. Consequently, he has had most of his lower organs and parts removed including his bladder, intestines and prostate.

Chuilli said Thursday that he was gratified and surprised at all of the attention and community support he got once the article was published on Patch.

"I received about 75 phone calls," he said. "My phone hasn't rung more than once or twice in the nine months prior to that. I'm very satisfied that the cats are going to get the care they need now. It's a big load off of my shoulders."

Chiulli said his wife left him because she said she couldn't watch him die. After losing almost everything, Chiulli wanted to make sure his four cats went to good homes and got the care they needed. Because he can't care for himself, he plans to sell his Douglasville home and his furniture and move into an efficiency apartment near his mother in Augusta, Georgia.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with the cat expenses. Those who wish to, can donate for the care of Sucky and White Boy either through the GoFundMe page or call the hospital directly at 770-449-2253 and tell them you would like to donate to their care.

Georgia Animal Welfare Advocates are a group of concerned animal lovers fighting for neglected, abused and homeless pets, according to the Facebook page. "The approach has always been see a need....fill a need. Again, we are not a rescue. We are an advocacy group. We help vet, transport, aid in abuse and neglect cases, work with area shelters and rescues to move pets to safety, and most importantly educate the public on proper pet parenting. We advocate spay and neuter, TNR, and microchipping your pets.

"We are continually trying to help free pets from kill shelters as well as keeping them from ever going in. We try to intervene with potential owner surrenders to help with situations and possible pet retention," continues the Facebook statement. "We educate the public on what needs to be done to stop the killing of innocent, beautiful, loving pets. We are not fosters."

Since February of 2013, with so many volunteers and supporters, the group has helped to save, vet and re-home over 500 pets into rescues or with fur-ever families. The group has funded more than $16,000 for medical expenses or donations to rescues.

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Photo by Patch Editor John Barker