SimplyCats had ITV Tyne Tees visit on 10th February 2010 after they saw our story about Garfield in the Sunderland Echo and Durham Advertiser.
'Garfield' was a stray cat who had been handed in to SimplyCats as he was found cowering in a bush, unable to stand. According to local residents Garfield's elderly owner had passed away before Christmas and he had survived outside in the snow and subzero temperatures. He was found by a dog walker when his dogs went sniffing in the bushes, they thankfully discovered the injured cat.
When he was handed in to SimplyCats he had clearly had a tough time over the winter, his coat was matted, he had dirt caked around his eyes and nose, his right hind leg had been badly bitten by a dog and had broken the bone and he had several wounds.
The team at SimplyCats tried to examine Garfield but he was in too much pain and his leg was severely swollen and bruised to examine conscious.
The team at SimplyCats then contacted the RSPCA to request funds towards emergency treatment but due to budget restrictions they could not fund his treatment, sadly this would mean Garfield would have to be put to sleep as he needed extensive treatment, but the team at SimplyCats fell in love with his friendly and loving nature so decided to go ahead and anaesthetise Garfield to examine him properly, the team x-rayed him and discovered he had fractured his fibula (a bone in the hind leg), his wounds were clipped and cleaned and whilst he was anaesthetised his coat was brushed and dematted as living outside had taken it's toll on the old cat's fur and it was severely matted close to the skin.
Garfield was given a warm, padded kennel at SimplyCats over the weekend to recover and rest he also received antibiotics and painkillers for his broken leg and wounds.
Garfield's treatment should have amounted to over £370 but SimplyCats have performed the treatment as a charitable act to the old cat.
Thankfully the elderly gentleman who discovered Garfield has decided to provide a loving home for Garfield as he fell in love with him and couldn't bear to see him go to a rescue shelter after his ordeal over the winter, and without his dogs, who knows what would have happened if they hadn't found Garfield?
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SimplyCats in the News
