A black cat living outdoors in an Eastern Washington state colony, returned home one day with unimaginable wounds. She had disappeared a few days prior and returned bleeding, with both of her ears and her tail cut off! Courage, the sleek black beauty, was happily living on the property of a caring elderly gentleman. When she showed up with the shocking injuries, the clean cuts indicated these were not an accident. He immediately treated her injuries but never learned who had inflicted the awful damage.
Fortunately, her wounds healed and Courage learned to “cat” without her missing ears and tail for the next few years.
The senior man was no longer able to care for the numerous cats on his property. He found that Courage had also become ill with a respiratory infection and may need medical treatment. She also looked like she had lost weight. Reaching out to a local private rescue group, he pleaded with them to help treat his beloved black cat.
The group contacted Seattle Area Feline Rescue, located a few hours away. They were a very experienced and successful organization when it comes to helping animals in need.
After hearing Courage’s story and what she has been put through in her life, the rescue couldn’t imagine saying “no” to helping her. Although their shelters were full–with kitten season well underway. But they quickly arranged transport and Courage arrived in their care on June 25th.
Shelley Lawson, a rescue worker, has seen firsthand how rapidly outdoor colonies can become unmanageable, no matter how much effort is put in.
“You get cats, cats reproduce, and then you get more cats.” “He was trying his best to care for the animals on his property,” Lawson explained.
Courage was examined by their veterinarian who estimates her to be about 7 years old. She is bravely battling more than one medical issue. She’s underweight, needs several teeth pulled, has ear infections in both ears and is not spayed. She is also showing a possible issue with her eyes so they are happy she will be under constant care and monitoring going forward.
Shelley has warmly welcomed Courage into her home and is happy to foster such a deserving kitty. She is administering 8 different doses of medication daily to Courage!
With the intense treatments she is undergoing, she won’t be able to be spayed for at least a few weeks. She will eventually be put up for adoption, but it could be months before she is ready to find her furever home.
She wasn’t too sure about the big bed in her new home at first. But after being gifted with a warm, fuzzy bed and fluffy teddy bear of her own to snuggle with, we believe Courage is just fine with this arrangement!
Posing for pictures, you can even see some Tortie and chocolate coloring in her beautiful coat.
She is absolutely delightful; a resilient little spirit with a big purr motor. Although what she suffered is unimaginable, she is still so trusting and friendly.
Her missing ears and tail don’t stop her one bit from enjoying a quality head or “backside” scratch from her foster mom!
The rescue team purrfectly states that “Courage is stronger than the person who hurt her, and so is our wonderful, compassionate community of cat lovers!”
Without the generous contributions from their supporters, they know covering Courage’s expensive ongoing, medical costs wouldn’t be possible.
Shelley gratefully admits that, “Here in Seattle we’re fortunate — we have really strong spay and neuter programs and a lot of adopters. Sometimes there’s more adopters than cats. Usually we take in cats every week from the Yakima area. We have so many adopters, we’re able to reach a little further”.
It’s been a long road to recovery for the brave black cat named Courage. She’s undergone multiple surgeries and numerous medications. Never to be discouraged though, she kept her big purr and resilient spirit through every step.
And now, she’s reaping the rewards of her victory, because she’s now with her fur-ever family. Courage loves to now spend her days watching “Kitty TV” out the windows and lounging on the comfy cat tree. She even has new kitty siblings to share the spoils with…including their food (shh, don’t tell!).
She’s clearly thankful to her new purrents, because she happily curls up to them each night.
It’s extremely amazing to see the generosity and care that cat lovers all throughout the country showed Courage. Seattle Area Feline Rescue would like to thank everyone for their continued support in spreading the news about this worthy and lovely black cat.
We’re overjoyed that Courage is finally secure and will have the love and attention she deserves for the rest of her life. Her history is no longer a factor in her life. Despite the abuse she has endured, she bears no resentment and welcomes each day with a purr.
Her tale will undoubtedly have a happy conclusion thanks to you, the rescue community, and Cole and Marmalade’s fans.
