.... and the Fifth Save of Christmas is Tigger

"It smells like a good idea!" That's what Tigger, a handsome orange tiger cat from a local feral colony, may have said to himself just before he jumped onto a hot barbeque grill to check out the sizzling meat. His subsequent “meow” emphasized the “OW,” since he had badly burned his front paw pads. A woman who knew Tigger noticed he was losing weight and that his paws were becoming infected. Things were looking grim for the curious little guy.

Fortunately, she contacted a cat-loving volunteer from Voices for Animals, a local feral cat non-profit, and they immediately brought him into the SPCA for treatment. SPCA veterinarian, Dr. Beichel found Tigger's pads to be severely swollen and the underlying skin tissue gone. She knew this must be extremely painful for poor Tigger. So Tigger underwent surgery to repair his paws (and she also neutered Tigger). Tigger would then stay at the SPCA for further treatment of antibiotics and pain medication. An SPCA vet tech took Tigger home every night for some extra TLC, as he also had a nasty upper respiratory infection.

In 2011, more than 1,500 feral cats
have been fixed in the SPCA Clinic.

Tigger would spend weeks recovering at the SPCA. During this time, SPCA staff worked with residents and cat caretakers in Tigger’s neighborhood to trap, spay or neuter, and return another seven cats living in the colony. Once recovered, a Voice's volunteer reunited Tigger with his colony where his caretaker is ensuring he regains any lost weight by providing his favorite treat of cheese omelets.

So, thanks to the efforts of the SPCA, Voices for Animals, and a concerned caretaker, Tigger has recovered and is back to prowling and pouncing around the neighborhood. Hopefully, he’ll avoid hot grills and burning coals from now on!

Click to read all Twelve Saves of Christmas