Our Elf Fund was started in memory of a little kitten that came in years ago, right before Christmas. His paw had been crushed in a trap while he was desperately trying to find any morsel of food he could. Even though Elf only made it for a few weeks, he received love and the best possible medical care. Our goal for starting the Elf Fund was to make sure that every cat that we are able to help will no longer suffer, whether it is for a day, a week or a year. We consider each one of these successes. Elf was cherished in the short time he was with us. He had finally found kindness, and when he went to meet his creator, he knew that he was special and loved, as all animals and people should be treated.
Had Elf recovered, his paw would have needed reconstructive surgery to the tune of $3000. One of our volunteer’s sisters had stepped up and offered to pay the full amount. It was then we realized, there are people who want their donations to be utilized for just these type of situations. Since its inception, many cats at Fat Kitty City have been saved from abusive conditions through the Elf Fund. Read stories below about some of our other Elf Fund recipients.
Please consider donating to our Elf Fund (no amount is too small), and all donations are tax deductible. We need this support more than ever, to be able to provide the care for animals suffering in our community, animals that have no one or no financial support.
Please Donate to the Elf Fund!
Watty
Watty is the newest recipient of our Elf Fund. We thank everyone who has donated to the fund, past, and present. Watty has a long way to go to get back to being a healthy kitty, but with your help, he has a fighting chance!
The story of Megawatt or “Watty”:
Watty was rescued from the parking lot outside the Western Area Power Administration in Folsom, CA. Employees picked up food at lunch to feed him and give him water. He was eating everything that was set out for him. The employees also laid out a saddle blanket in the bushes for him and he took up residence there.
The employees affectionally named him Megawatt and later started calling him Watty.
Then there was a forecast for a big storm so one of the employees took Watty home. He calmly sat on the floor of the passenger side all the way to Shingles Spring. Next day she took Watty to see a vet. The results were that Watty is a neutered male, 10+ years, weighing about 6.6lbs, he had a severe flea infestation, moderate to advanced dental disease, and positive on FIV. The vet also said Watty may have hyperthyroidism and/or diabetes.
While staying at home with the employee it became obvious he needed a lot more care. He had no control over his bowels and was very weak. He would only stagger from his saddle blanket for food and water. With her working full time and having other pets in the household she knew she could not provide Watty with the care he needed. She did not have the time nor the funds to help him.
The employees began looking for a place that would take Watty in. They called many places for help with no success. Then they reached out to us and we offered to help. They were very appreciative that Fat Kitty City accepted Watty into the sanctuary.
Yesterday(Saturday) we received test results on Watty and he is diabetic. One of our volunteers noticed Watty has taken a turn for the worst, and after a mad dash for insulin, we began to treat him and NOW need your help.
Kenneth
Kenneth’s story, as told by Katrina, one of our adoption counselors:
I named him Kenneth because he was found on Kenneth Ave and Sunset in Fair Oaks one cold and rainy night in the middle of the road.
My friend of many years happened to be there at the right time. She saw a white color on the dark road and stopped to see what it was. To her horror and surprise, it was a cat–a declawed flame point senior about 15 years old.
He just sat there and didn’t move, he was so happy to see her! She scooped him up and sat him on the car seat next to her, and drove him to her mother-in-law’s home to be assessed. He was matted to the skin and starving! He could not walk well and seemed to have hearing issues too.
Then she sent me a message for help, as no one could properly care for him. I agreed to take him into my home. I started shaving him, just here and there, because he wasn’t having any of it (we are getting there though!) I took him to the vet and his overall health was good, just some bad teeth and the fact that his front feet are deformed from the terrible declaw job he had. Several of his toes curl up and he has trouble walking!
He eats great and drinks water well and he is using his litter box (he misses a few times but tries his best!) He has great character and is quite a talker too–he gets a bit grumpy when he doesn’t get what he wants.
Please help Kenneth get the full care he needs by donating to our Elf Fund!
Thank you to those who have donated thus far:
Julia
Richard
Sharon
Mr. Boney aka Mango
Jackpot
Background: At intake, Jackpot was unable to stand. He was delirious due to absolute starvation and massive dehydration. He had severe URI’s and pneumonia, several broken teeth (without food he attempted to eat gravel), front claws were embedded into his paw pads causing pain and infection (so when attempting to walk he used his wrists), his fur was so matted that it adhered to his skin causing painful lesions.
Update as of July 1, 2018:
Jackpot is on several hundred cc’s of subcutaneous fluids, antibiotics, AD food, and is in a loving foster home. He has gained 4 ounces, his breathing is still very much a concern (but no more green discharge). He can eat without pawing at his mouth, but he is very weak and has not had a bowel movement yet. Jackpot is not out of the woods but is making some headway.
Jackpot is affectionate. He loves to sit on people’s laps, and loves to give head-butts of gratitude!
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China Blue
7/18/2018
China Blue is doing fantastic. You’ll remember his ordeal with getting into several fights from not being neutered and his neck when he came in, was totally abscessed. Cindy (a kind foster) took him home and he disappeared for a few weeks (possibly longer) and then he showed up, a few pounds lighter. He hasn’t strayed again, but remains very close to home. She has officially adopted him. He no longer fights because he was neutered. Isn’t he just gorgeous?!
China Blue was one of our Elf Fund recipients. Next Door, a group formed to keep people updated on activity within their community, posted the plight of a stray cat that kept showing up everyday for food. Hoping he had an owner, the poster of the ad kept patiently waiting. As the days went by, she noticed injuries, and more injuries, until she feared for the cat’s life.
After seeing the post and learning no one would offer any assistance, Fat Kitty City contacted the poster of the ad. After many attempts trying to trap him, he was caught and brought to FKC. During an urgent exam, it was discovered how serious were the number of wounds, than originally imagined. We are hoping we got him in the nick of time, before he becomes sepsis.
China Blue, as we are calling him, is a sad reminder of the suffering all animals endure, as a result of not being spayed or neutered, (victims of vicious fighting during kitten season) many don’t survive, but rather die a painful and slow death by infection and starvation.
China Blue is making his recovery! See his photos above.
Tahoe
Tahoe is an older Russian Blue cat who was found starving and left for dead. He has hyperthyroidism and requires medication twice a day. It was difficult to medicate him at the same time each day at the Sanctuary. A compassionate person for whom we were once able to place a cat, called Fat Kitty City one day and asked if we had any “special needs” cats. We told her about Tahoe and she offered to take him home. Tahoe is now moving around her house, which is a very good sign. At the Sanctuary, he stayed in the same room, in the same spot, the entire time he was there. He seems to be enjoying his “forever home” and we know that he’s being well-cared for.
Lopsy
This is Lopsy, he is our newest Elf Fund Recipient. If you would like to donate to his care, adopt or foster him, he is available. We are monitoring Lopsy’s welfare and will provide updates as he progresses.
Lopsy’s story from his rescuer: My son and I were taking a walk by Bertelson Park in El Dorado Hills. We saw a grey kitty laying in the dirt; I wasn’t sure he was alive. My son went closer and the kitty made quiet noises as if in distress. The kitty came to us and was so sweet. When I looked closer, I noticed he was a male that had not been neutered. He had a big wound in the side of his neck and needed our help badly. I knocked on nearby doors and the neighbors said he was a stray or neglected, and abandoned. I could not leave him laying in the dirt so badly injured and needing our rescue. We took him home and I called Fat Kitty City who are helping to nurse him back to health, and trying to find this sweet boy the home he deserves.
01/07/2017 ~ Update from Lopsy’s rescuer and foster mom: I’ve had Lopsy for over 3 months now. He’s very big, almost 20 pounds! He’s very sweet & loves affection from people. He did live outside when I found him so he’s very sensitive to noises and likes to be handled in a gentle way. He doesn’t start any fights with my other cats but they’re young and don’t like him, so they will try to fight with him. Lopsy is a gentle giant. He snores and likes to cuddle and sleep by me, or on my pillow by my head. He likes to drink from the bathroom faucet and lets me know when he wants to do that.
Here are two recent photos of Lopsy since his recovery:
Ranger
Ranger is now ready for adoption! He is 1-2 years old.
His story as told by his foster mom:
Ranger was rescued by our family while we were on vacation. We found him lying in the crevice of two rocks on broken glass with a large cut on his leg, covered in burrs, infested with fleas, unable to “meow”, and lethargic, nearing death. It took about 12 hours to remove the burrs; his tail had to be shaved due to the fact that it was covered completely with burrs. His first food was a slice of a watermelon, including the rind. He chased that down with some salmon we had on hand and his next few days consisted of eating and sleeping to gain strength. Ranger was found at “Elephant rock” at the “Ranger station” where locals of Tuolumne county swim. His name was Ellie–after Elephant Rock–until we learned he was male, and, as one may say…he was large and in charge, so Ranger it was.
Ranger is a sweet kitty, he prefers the indoors but goes outside when encouraged, He likes to be pet, and, when he is finished, he will tell you. He is not a bully, lives well with other cats and dogs, but will not tolerate them harassing him.
Fat Kitty City provided full vetting and services to get Ranger back to health. He is now available for adoption! If you are interested in Ranger, call 916-939-3418 or email Cindy at [email protected]
Gino
Blackie
We got a call from a kind couple who had been caring for a stray female cat (Blackie) that had recently wandered into their yard. The couple noticed that she had a growth on her face, so they took her to the vet. The vet said that Blackie needed surgery to remove the cyst, and needed some testing as well. The couple could not afford Blackie’s vet care, but wanted her to have a good life and to get the surgery she so desperately needed. They contacted us at Fat Kitty City. We took in Blackie, paid for her surgery, and provided the aftercare she needed.
Zane
Zane is a special needs cat because of being a tripod, but he is the sweetest, most loving cat and has no issues (he uses his litter box like a champ!), climbs, runs around and plays, better than a four legged cat! He is now up for adoption (should anybody be interested).
Zane’s surgery was about $1000. Please click here to replenish our Elf Fund so we can help other animals like Zane!
View Zane’s pre-surgery photos – Warning: these photos are graphic and may not be appropriate for all viewers
Zane has a new lease on life! See Zane’s post surgery video.
KitKat
Update: KitKat found his forever home on 06/24/2016!
KitKat is as sweet as his name – and as gentle and affectionate as any cat you’ll meet!
He came to Fat Kitty City after a tough start in life. You see his original owners declawed him – then after many years abandoned him – leaving him helpless and hopeless.
He searched in vain for his ‘family’ as he wandered the neighborhood for food and shelter. One day, KitKat found good fortune! A kindly gentleman took pity and welcomed him into his home. Being a pure white cat and declawed…KitKat was lucky to have survived! Life was good and KitKat was grateful to be loved again – until his owner fell ill and could no longer care for him.
So, KitKat had to find a home once more. The son of the gentleman who had become ill searched high and low for a rescue organization that could take KitKat. Not an easy endeavor, as this now ‘senior’ feline had inflamed sores on both ear flaps and his eyes were always ‘squinting’. But, the son kept looking and soon found Fat Kitty City!
Once KitKat arrived – he tugged at every volunteer’s heartstrings as he looked so sad with his weeping eyes and tender pink ears. After an exam by our veterinarian, KitKat was diagnosed with carcinoma on both earflaps. And, the reason for his ever-squinting eyes was that he suffered from Entropion lids (the eyelid folds inward and eyelashes scrape the cornea) on BOTH lower lids.
KitKat stayed in foster care receiving medication to soothe his irritated eyes and sensitive ears until specialized surgery could be arranged. On April 14th KitKat received the needed operation that would give him a high-quality life! He is now recovering in foster care and will soon be ready for adoption.
While his truncated ears make him look a bit like “ET” – and his soft blue eyes have some permanent scaring – KitKat takes it all in stride as he (once again) searches for a loving home!
Kit Kat’s surgery cost about $500. Please click here to help cover the cost of his surgery and to renew our Elf Fund!
See KitKat’s video the day before surgery
See KitKat’s video after surgery
Churro
Churro’s surgery was $2800 with about $1400 raised so far. Won’t you help us restore our Elf Fund by clicking here?!
See Churro’s video. He is now running around very happy!
Desperada
Desperado
August, in California, is the worst month of the year for cats. Worse yet is being abandoned without access to water or food – with no reprieve from the scorching summer heat. Discovered on the streets without any identification, Desperado was among the sickest and most fragile of cats left to fend for themselves in rural Fresno County. Animal services recommended euthanasia for this thin and badly matted Siamese-mix cat.
But, a supporter of Fat Kitty City saw something special in his eyes…the will to live.
Desperado’s second chance at life began with triage to stabilize and re-hydrate him for the journey to Fat Kitty City. Soon after arrival, he began to stand on wobbly legs, eat on his own, and respond to the touch of a loving hand. Volunteers became hopeful that little Desperado would survive!
However, after weeks of TLC he was still struggling. Desperado’s blood work indicated the need for further testing to determine the cause of his muscle weakness and inability to gain weight.
Jill, a FKC supporter, opened her heart and home to Desperado. He lived another year in a loving and supportive environment. In a cat’s lifetime, that is like seven additional years, years that he would not have had, had the Elf Fund not stepped in.
Icicle
Icicle came to us in July of 2014, afraid of his own shadow, thin and needing a lot of TLC. He was semi-feral from being on the streets so long. He would cower at the very back of the sanctuary (as to be invisible). After a time Icicle started to gain weight, recover and make strides. He was adopted into his new home in December of 2014.
Henry aka Buddy
Henry aka Buddy came to us in 2012 from Stockton, CA (a bad area for cats). It was evident he had suffered a “tough” life on the streets. In the three years he was with us, he struggled with one ailment after another that have been treated with proceeds from our Elf Fund. (His ailments were nothing contagious, just autoimmune, and probably from a lack of nutrition when he was trying to survive on the streets.)
Because of his chronic conditions, Henry would drool (a result of his teeth being therapeutically pulled, due to a condition known as Stomatitis). Henry’s fur would fall out, or he would pull it out, from what the doctor narrowed down to was a possible flea or food allergy. His breath would knock you over (so you had to avoid his mouth on the way up). None of these issues were fatal and could be treated, however, it gave Henry the appearance of being sick or in layman’s terms, a “misfit”.
The beauty of this story is that Henry had a guardian angel named Phyllis. She was able to look past all of Henry’s ugly conditions, only to find a heart of gold. We have so many well-deserving cats here at the sanctuary, cats that would give anything to have a chance at a home of their own. Anyone looking to open their heart to one of these “misfits”, only has to read Phyllis’ story to know that there isn’t any better gift in the world than what Henry gives her in return.
A Happily Ever After for Henry aka Buddy…
My friend, Henry,
In May at the orientation for volunteering at Fat Kitty City, I met Henry and my heart went out to him. Each week when I volunteered, he was the first one I looked for to start my day. Since then, I got very attached to him and in the back of my mind, I wanted to give him a home someday. Sometimes the heart takes over and makes decisions for us. I decided it was time to adopt Henry. What a happy day for me! He is getting lots of love and attention from me and my grandkids. He is so sweet with his little pink tongue and his silent meow. He loves being in my lap with his happy purr. He has settled in nicely and seems really happy in his forever home. Thank you Fat Kitty City for making this adoption possible.
Phyllis
Winner
Winner was a slightly scraggly, long-haired neighborhood cat who hung around my house and several others’ where food was available. One day I was bringing a foster kitten back from the vet and there he was. All but his face was soaked in some sort of oil. His coat looked like some kind of spiky punk rocker kitty. I did not take time to get a photo, I just took the kitten in the house and then got Winner into the carrier before he wandered off.
I took him to the vet hospital, where he was bathed and checked over. He had cuts or bites in several places and damage to one ear and the eye on that side of his face. I took him and his meds home and tried to care for his injuries, especially around his ear but they needed care more than I could do alone. Cindy of Fat Kitty City was kind enough to take him on. She managed to clean out his ear and their vet saw that the ear drum was also ruptured. The Fat Kitty City team (Cindy, Ed, Vet, and Volunteers) spent hours, over many days treating all the damage.
I was not able to find out exactly what had happened to cause all of this. By the time he was well he had gained weight and grown such a beautiful coat he looked like a different cat. Just a really sweet guy!
Liz ~ Winner’s Guardian Angel
Mesquite and Teak
A litter of kittens, which was named “Trees”, were found buried deep underneath trash, in a dumpster behind a fast food joint. They obviously were not meant to be found. A Good Samaritan heard their tiny cries and called us. We had them fostered by Kitten Central (they did not think they would survive), and had them from April, 2015 to August, 2015. You’ll see below, Mesquite & Teak in their new home. All of the kittens survived!
Luke
Pumpkin Spice
Baby Chester was found in a trash pile with four other siblings, at only five days old. His human family had moved away, leaving his pregnant mother on the property. They returned later to retrieve her…but not her kittens. Two neighbors, Mike and Nancy, heard the cries of one of the kittens and went to investigate. They only saw one, which seemed horribly malnourished and immediately took it to a vet clinic that took it in to try to keep the little baby alive. Mike and Nancy returned to the trash pile and found four other kittens. Only two were still alive. Mike called Fat Kitty City for help, as he and his wife had no idea how to care for such tiny little creatures.
Just the day before, a lady named Loretta had stopped by our adoption kennels and introduced herself. She said that she had fostered many kittens previously and would be interested in fostering for us, preferably really young kittens. The next day, when we got the call about little Chester, we called Loretta who stepped in to assess the situation. One of the kittens had passed away, and that left only Chester. Loretta and her husband worked tirelessly to care for Chester, and did a superb job at keeping him healthy and on track for his kitten milestones. Approaching his 5-week birthday he was a robust 8.9 ounces!
As Chester began to grow a little, we discovered that he was a she, so his name was changed to Pumpkin Spice. Because of the very tentative start she had had in life, surgery and adoption were delayed until she weighed over four pounds. Pumpkin Spice was adopted by a friend of Loretta’s, who sent us a a picture in February 2015 of a beautiful Pumpkin Spice, happily stretching out in her forever home!
Vanny
Fat Kitty City got a call in 2013 from a truck-repair business in Roseville, CA. Someone had dumped/abandoned a cat on their property, and they fed her for a couple of months, but couldn’t keep her because of the danger of all of the large vehicles coming and going on the property. She was skin and bones, de-clawed, and estimated to be 3-4 years old.
Cindy, the owner of Fat Kitty City, asked me to take “Vanny” to the vet for an exam and blood work, and it turned out that she was 10-11 years old, and was in need of thyroid medication. Since I already had Willy, a 16-year-old hyper-thyroid sanctuary cat on thyroid medication, I half-kiddingly said I should probably take her, so she could be medicated every day, along with Willy. Dr. Smith, our vet, looked at her and said that, in all honesty, being in a home would be much better for Vanny than trying to medicate her every day at the sanctuary.
Well, the rest is history. Vanny is now a healthy, thriving senior citizen, who seems to love her new home and enjoys being pampered and petted as much as she can get (which is a lot!)
Cynthia – Volunteer, Fat Kitty City
Footloose
Footloose was thrown from a car and had his leg broken. Our vet, Dr. Smith, helped fix his leg through proceeds from our Elf Fund. Footloose was adopted into a loving forever home where he remains happy and healthy to this day!
Liberty
On July 4th, 2012, someone tied a firecracker to Liberty’s leg and lit the firecracker! We thought these were only made up stories.
Needless to say, one can only imagine what happened to her leg. We cannot comprehend the suffering and pain that little Liberty went through, along with the fact that she even survived! Our vet was also perplexed as to how she could still be alive, considering the stump that remained was raw and still bleeding.
Thankfully, Liberty underwent surgery to remove the area affected and treat it with the appropriate medical care. This would not have been possible without the help of our Elf Fund, for which we owe our sincere gratitude to all of our supporters that donate for just these type of causes.
Donations are always needed for our Elf Fund to help keep these success stories happening, as we try and combat cruelty on a massive scale.
Willy
1995-2014
Elise contacted FKC back in April, 2012, about Willy not being fed at her son’s house. She became homeless and had her other three cats with a foster and for some reason left Willy with her son. When he stopped feeding Willy, the neighbors would feed him once in a while, but not anything consistent. He looked horrible when he first arrived at Fat Kitty City. Willy was emaciated, just skin & bones. We discovered he was also hyperthyroid and started treatment immediately. Our vets did not expect him to live. Cynthia, one of our long-time and devoted volunteers, took him home, and you can see the remarkable change after several years of love and care.
Khristmas
Khristmas came to us in December of 2012, through a kind Samaritan who had seen her dumpster diving for weeks. Her owners had moved away and thrown her outside to fend for herself. Domesticated cats cannot fend for themselves because of all the competition and other predators already established in areas, as well as the limited food supply available. (Khristmas is just one of hundreds that we receive at Fat Kitty City every year, under the same circumstances.) Most do not make it, because the damage done to their organs is not reversible.
Khristmas, renamed Chrissy, was our Christmas miracle. Laurie, a wonderful volunteer, took her home with the intention of providing all the medical care, TLC and food she wanted. Chrissy lived another 3 years with Laurie until her heart gave out. As much as we miss and love her, we accomplished what we set out to do in the beginning, which is to end suffering, provide a second (or third, or fourth, etc.) chance at life, and to let these animals know the kindness and love they deserve.
Thanks to our supporters, through our Elf Fund, we are able to provide the medical care necessary to save abused, unwanted, and neglected cats.
More Stories to Come…