In Montclair: Adopted Hard-Luck Kitties Help Inspire Animal Shelter Staff

A pair of hard-luck felines have found a new home, the Montclair Animal Shelter reported.

On Wednesday, the municipally run animal shelter posted an update on social media about Banks and Ella, two recently adopted cats that have had tough lives so far.

“Back in March of 2012, an animal control officer picked up a stray cat that had such severe burns all over his body that the veterinarian thought he would only survive if he had skin grafts,” the shelter wrote.

“After more than a month of intense medical treatment, Banks was finally able to come to MTAS for adoption. He tested positive for FIV, making his story a bit more sad. Years passed. Banks gained a lot of weight from his time in a cage, eventually being diagnosed with diabetes. The staff was devastated, knowing that Banks’ medical issues would make him that much harder to adopt.”

As for Ella:

“Another kitty with FIV and a condition called Stomatitis, a condition not uncommon to cats with FIV that causes painful inflammation in their mouths. Weeks of anti-inflammatory medication and antibtiotics finally gave us the opportunity for Ella to have a dental done, helping to calm her gums down a little. Even with all the medication and pain, this girl never stopped purring.”

But luckily, their story has a happy ending, the shelter reported.

“Sometimes working and volunteering in shelters can make us a bit jaded. We see more people giving up their pets than adopting, we see the results of neglect and cruelty. But sometimes, we see miracles happen. We meet those special people that truly want to give our animals a second chance, no matter how much work it might take. And that happened today. The Dargan’s decided that not only were two cats better than one, but two special needs cats desperately needed that second chance. There were so many happy tears here today as Ella and Banks went to their new home for the holidays.”

Photo by the Montclair Animal Shelter via Facebook

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