Scooter’s History

Scooter, the cat, was the lone survivor of a Baraboo house fire. The fire killed his family as well as all the other pets in the household. By some miracle, Scooter was able to escape the fire and was taken in by a rescue, Feline-Canine Friends, Inc in Grand Marsh, Wisconsin. The rescue operates on a a very limited budget and even though they knew taking the cat in would deplete all of their resources, they opened their hearts and their rescue to Scooter.

The rescue’s founder Marie Valentino said they they knew they had to help Scooter. “Getting Scooter veterinary care was something we knew we wanted to do. Turning our backs on him was never an option. One of our volunteers, Cindy, got a call the day of the fire asking if we could the help cat and we said ‘yes.’”

Scooter was treated initially at Lodi Veterinary Hospital where he received 24 hour care the first days after the fire and then care was transferred to Countryside Animal Clinic. Countryside had worked with the rescue previously and offered to help with Scooter’s care.

Scooter suffered first, second and third degree burns to 20% of his body. He was unable to walk the first days after the fire because the pads of his feet were so badly burned. He is likely to lose the tips of his ears and his right eye as a result of the fire. He receives daily would care, pain management and antibiotic therapy to prevent infection. He also has received a lot of love from everyone at Countryside.

He is a very loving cat and despite the sometimes painful treatments he must endure, he is quick to purr and extend a paw, to entice staff members to play with him.

Most of his fur was singed and some was burned off completely. His whiskers were burned off completely. The white portions of his fur are still yellowed from the fire and he still smells of smoke. We are not able to bathe him yet because of his open wounds.

2/23/2012

Today, Scooter has become somewhat of a celebrity. The wonderful caregivers at Countryside Animal Clinic have taken him in as their "clinic cat". He loves to run down the halls and check out all of the animals coming in for care at the clinic. Although Brenda runs the clinic, Scooter also thinks he does! Often you will find him lounging on the front desk, overseeing all of the comings and goings. 

Scooter is a very special cat in so many ways! He has overcome his terrible accident, many surgeries and months of recovery. Many people thought that he should have been euthanized, due to the extent of his injuries. If they could see him today, I am sure they would see what the care of good people and the strength of a cat can do together, survive all obstacles and come out a purr..fectly wonderful cat!

1/13/2013

Scooter is doing well.  He recovered nicely from the burns sustained in the fire that destroyed his home and took his family from him.  In the 2-3 months after the fire, the pads of his feet healed up and he was able to walk and jump again. Slowly the burned fur was replaced with a new shiny coat.  His whiskers grew back and his face looked more normal.  His whiskers grew back and his face looked more normal.  After the fire his right eye had been damaged and had sunken to about 10% of its normal size.  The veterinarians said it had to be removed.  Since then he has undergone several surgeries to try to repair the area.  The specialists tell us he will likely always struggle with recurrent infections in that area.  Despite this, he is a happy, healthy cat.  He loves affection and playing with his new cat friends.