The things cats live through and overcome can be unfathomable to the average cat lover, but for rescue workers these horrors are an every day obstacle. Awareness is an effective tool in helping reduce the things abandoned and stray cats go through, and that’s why stories like Valentino’s are so important.
Valentino was a cat like many others before him, alone, unwell, and hiding from 100F heat. Taking refuge under a car, the small, ginger cat just so happened to be in the right place at the right time… as far as these situations are concerned at lea.
A mother saw the cat hiding beneath her son’s car and immediately contacted the appropriate authorities, Cats of San Bernadino. The organization’s mission is to “assist in feeding, spaying, and neutering the stray cats in San Bernardino.”
CSB volunteers went to the parking lot to check on the cat, unsure whether he was feral or just a stray.
They were happy to see he wasn’t wild because he allowed them pick him up and touch him readily.
“He was simply like “Please, someone take me,” Jaina from Cats of San Bernardino said in an interview with The Dodo. He merely let himself be carried up and didn’t move.”
Thankfully, the rescuers were able to get the cat into a cat carrier, and he was taken to the clinic right away. The cat was so hungry that they initially mistook him for a female (he had previously been neutered), but they soon realized he was a “he.”
At that point, everyone involved in his care figured he must have been left behind and abandoned when his previous family moved and left the area.
He was left outside, after a life inside, to fend for himself. He was skinny and malnourished, and his fur was matted, where there wasn’t bald patches at least.
The bald patch on his forehead was so bad it extended to one of his eyes and the vets discovered a swollen area that left one of his eyes only half-opened.
Rescue volunteers Jaina and Ivy took on the task of helping the cat heal. They named him Valentino.
“We had the abscess on his forehead looked at. We started him on some antibiotics.”
Surprised, in just a few short weeks the cat began to transform:
“He just wanted to give everyone an update and let everyone know he is doing good. He is responding well to the antibiotics. Inflammations is basically completely gone. He’s gaining weight and getting stronger. He’s got new hair growing back.”
“As the cat healed, he immediately bonded with his committed rescuers, too,” Jaina added. Every time we lift him up, he starts pressing his face on ours and really thanking us. He also likes to offer kisses, so he will kiss the bridge of my nose. He’s a sweetheart.”
From then on, every chance Valentino got, he would snuggle up.
“Valentina is doing well so far. She eats, hydrates and rests at the same time. She is a sociable, pet kitten, who must have had a home at one time. One thing is for sure: Valentina is extremely “Weak and must have remained hungry for a long time before her recent injuries. To help her fragile body gain weight and energy, we started her with a high calorie diet.”
“Our hearts break knowing that she was out there in this condition for so long. We are extremely grateful to have her here with us and cant wait for her to start healing and feeling better.”
“We sometimes desperately wish that cats could talk. I bet she would have a crazy story to tell.”
The future looks bright for Valentino.
“Obviously, we are busy so we have a lot of other kitties to care for. So Valentino’s gonna be looking for a home. It’s gonna have to be, obviously the perfect home for him. Someone that’s home a lot, spends a lot of time with him, will be able to hold him a lot of the time. He will love to be with someone where he gets 100% of the attention.”
Take a look at how far he’s come!
Check out his inspiring video story here:
