Monkey – A Success Story

as written by Jim Keller, Operations Director

Monkey arrived at Homeward Pet with 5 other kittens in early October of last year. A sweet, little 3-month-old tuxedo, Monkey had the most perfect markings you’ve ever seen. And the sweetest temperament to match.

Monkey received his complete health exam on the day he we took him in, and everything looked great. He was cleared for adoption and made available the same day. And, no surprise, he was adopted just a few days later.

An unfortunate surprise came after just 2 months in his new home.

Monkey suffered a seizure that landed him at the emergency vet. Then, other symptoms appeared. He became a little wobbly on his feet, he was low-energy, he appeared sickly. He was not the bold, athletic, happy kitten they’d adopted. A follow-up visit to his regular vet brought the bad news: Monkey had contracted Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FiP).

A few years ago, this diagnosis would have been a death sentence. There was no treatment for FiP. However, in the last few years, a treatment has been developed. Last year, a pharmacy in New Jersey began compounding the medication. The problem: the treatment is very expensive, and Monkey’s family was not able to afford it. They’d already fallen in love with little Monkey and could commit to palliative care, but not to the treatment.

Wanting to leave no stone unturned, they contacted Homeward Pet. With our Adopter Support and Pet Retention programs working together, a life-saving plan was put into place. Monkey would be surrendered to Homeward Pet for the initial treatment. He’d be placed in the home of an experienced foster family (who’d already had success treating a cat for FiP), and Homeward Pet would take full responsibility for the cost of care, including medication and retesting.

And, once Monkey was on the road to recovery, he’d be returned to the adopting family that loved him so dearly.

Treating FiP requires twice-daily medication for 12 weeks! By the end of week 1, Monkey was already showing signs of improvement. Less wobbly. More active. By week 3, he was running the hallway with the resident cats (FiP is not contagious). By week 5, he owned the place – spending his days playing and sleeping in the company of 4 young cats and a Pug.

At week 6, a recheck of his blood work showed that his health had improved immensely. We were able to gift his adopter with the call they’d been waiting for – Monkey could return home to finish his treatment. Our staff was there to witness the happy reunion between an adopter and the kitten he considered his soul mate.

Homeward Pet is proud to be more than just a shelter. Every pet that comes through our doors receives compassionate care and a second chance at a happy, healthy life. But we don’t stop there. We stand by our adopters, providing resources and support after adoption to help keep pets and families together. From life-saving medical treatments to foster care and pet retention programs, we go the extra mile to ensure no pet is left behind.

These sorts of interventions are not free. They cost. And sometimes they cost a lot! We cannot help these animals without you.

Please make a donation today to help us say yes to the requests for help that come in every single day.