Megan Graham, a veterinary technician at Pacific Beach’s Cheshire Cat Clinic, first noticed the stray brown tabby cat last December, hanging around her house at night, usually hiding under cars. She thought at first the cat had a home because she was so sweet and approachable, unlike most unsocialized feral cats.
“She seemed to be in relatively good shape for a stray. But then I felt her leg. It was either dislocated or broken, but it wasn’t painful,” Graham said.
Once she confirmed the cat didn’t belong to anyone in the neighborhood, Graham brought her into the clinic for evaluation. The cat, whom Graham named Puma because of her coloring and puma-like nose, had had her ear clipped, a sign she had been trapped, spayed and released, probably as a young kitten, by an animal rescue organization. She’s now about a year and a half old.
“We took x-rays and determined that it was an old break and had healed. Then we did an initial surgery here and splinted and put her leg in a cast for six weeks, but it didn’t heal. Then we decided we needed a specialist,” Graham explained.
They received a quote of $900 from the orthopedic specialist and realized they would need to raise the money for the surgery. Dr. Ann Middleton, chief veterinarian and owner of the clinic, has donated the rest of Puma’s veterinary services, including vaccinations, diagnostics and anesthesia, plus on-going food, board and routine medical care.
“The staff got together to raise the money. We put out a donation box. We had a couple of bake sales. The staff donated items for a drawing. We went around to local businesses for donations and the bake sale,” Graham said.
“I was amazed at how our clients responded with their donations. We had one man who came in for an exam, left, went to an ATM and put $40 in the box. We received a donation of $200 from another client,” she said.
Despite clients’ and local businesses’ generosity, clinic staff still need to raise several hundred dollars more to reach their goal of $900 to cover the surgeon’s fee.
Puma had her surgery on June 2, and is doing well, Graham said. “She recovered a lot faster than after the first surgery,” she said.
Puma is now walking around the clinic in her bright pink cast, already able to put weight on the injured leg.
Puma will be available for adoption soon.
“She may always have a slight limp but should be able to put full pressure on it. She’s otherwise healthy and has had all her vaccinations and blood tests,” Graham said.
Puma is very sweet, cuddly and affectionate, she said, and has bonded well with all the clinic staff. “She follows me around and meows for affection. She talks a lot. She’s shy with strangers initially, which makes it difficult to get someone to fall in love with her,” Graham explained.
“She’s playful but doesn’t know how to play like a normal cat. She needs another cat to teach her how to play. She gets on well with other cats and puts up with the kittens running around the clinic,” she added.
Clinic receptionist Mary Pride Clark, who, like Graham, has two rescue cats of her own, is very proud of Puma’s blossoming personality and improving health.
“She jumps, she purrs, she dive-bombs your feet. I’m really grateful for our clients who have donated so generously to help her,” she said.
To donate to Puma’s medical care, stop by or send donations to the Cheshire Cat Clinic at 1945 Garnet Ave., Suite B. Gifts of any size are gratefully accepted in cash or checks payable to the Cheshire Cat Clinic, with the notation “Puma Fund.”
Any contributions in excess of Puma’s surgeon’s fee will be channeled to help pay for care for other stray or indigent cats, explained hospital manager Roberta Raney.
“Once we have cleared the $900 mark, the rest goes into the ‘Henry’s World’ Fund,” which is supported by proceeds from clinic sales of the glossy, photo-filled book about the adventures of Henry the three-legged cat.
“If someone cannot afford expensive care we can help with small amounts from the fund. Mostly it’s for indigent animals or strays,” Raney said.
To meet Puma and other cats and kittens available for adoption or to purchase “Henry’s World,” visit the Cheshire Cat Clinic during office hours Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., or call 858-483-1573. For more information about the cats-only veterinary practice, visit their Web site at www.cheshirecatclinic.com.