Community Opens Hearts to Springs Family Whose Cat Was Hit by Car

EAST HAMPTON, NY-The community is opening their hearts to a family whose beloved cat, Zorro, was hit by a car on School Street in Springs Saturday night.

Lisa, John and Indigo Weston, Zorro’s family, have set up a GoFundMe page, “Zorro’s Vet Bills,” which has garnered $2,840 of its $6,000 goal in six days.

“He somehow got home and into our bed, not bleeding, thankfully,” the family wrote. “However, he was in pain. We rushed to East End Veterinary Emergency in Riverhead, a wonderful haven at 2 a.m. Sunday morning when your beloved family member is hurting.”

Zorro, the Westons said, means the world to them. “Our little guy, he comes running when we whistle for him. He talks to us with his tail. He has a way of letting us know he wants to play and be let out and in, even though he has his own kitty door. He seems to know when we are upset or sad, and consoles us. He loves to run, jump, climb, pounce and wrestle his sister Darla. Zorro and Darla mean the world to us. We would be lost without them.”

Sadly, Zorro lost his tail after the accident.

X rays revealed that his tail was dislocated in two places. He also sustained a fracture on the socket of his hip joint and a dislocation of the joint on the hip that connects to the spine. “Surgery was a must,” the family said; cost of the X rays alone was more than $600.

Zorro had surgery on Monday, which went well, with his hip dislocation repaired with a screw, his hip fracture by removing the ball off the head of the femur, and his tail, amputated. The cost of the first surgery was $5,500, they said.

Next, Zorro needs rehab and boarding, the Westons said. All funds donated will be used for Zorro’s veterinary bills, they assured.

“We know money is tight for all of us,” they wrote. “Zorro’s accident came at a time when we are already down. Work has not been steady for us recently. To have even some of this cost covered by the generosity of others would be a huge relief, and would confirm, what I always believe, that there are people out there who care. ’Thank you’ does not come close to how grateful we are for your support.”

An update to the GoFundMe page reported that Zorro has made progress, and is now able to walk across the room without help. He is having rehab sessions two to three times a day and getting lots of attention. He’s been moved to a larger space so he can move around more easily.

John Weston, tears in his voice, said the family is mourning the loss of their cat’s tail. “That was his communication, how he talked to us,” he said. “If you spoke to him, he answered by flicking his tail.”

But still, they can see improvement in their beloved pet. “You look for things you recognize, to see that he’s getting better. He sits on my lap while I’m working on the computer and he likes to box your face with his paws gently. Lisa was there this week and he grabbed her face with his paws and pulled her in. We just lost it because it was like he was saying, ‘Hey, Mom, you’re here.’ He’s an incredible part of our family.”

To donate to Zorro’s GoFundMe, click here.