WILLMAR -- A cat rescued after a weekend fire in Hawick is now being cared for by the Humane Society of Kandiyohi County.
The dilute calico cat, who has been named "Crisp," has a severely injured front paw that will likely require amputation, Bobbie Bauman, director of animal care for the Humane Society, said Tuesday. The cat also has tested positive for feline leukemia virus, which is contagious among cats and often leads to immune suppression.
Humane Society officials are hopeful, however, that Crisp will find someone to adopt her.
"We're trying to find a home," Bauman said.
The cat appeared Saturday morning after fire broke out at the Monson Lumber Company in Hawick. No one knew who she belonged to, so 85-year-old Elmer Gilbertson agreed to take her to his home across the street from the lumber yard. Gilbertson fed the cat and bandaged her injured paw.
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The Humane Society stepped in Monday evening to help ensure the cat received veterinary care.
For now, Crisp is hospitalized at Buckingham Equine in rural Raymond, where she's receiving antibiotics and being cared for by the veterinary staff.
"She's a sweetheart. I think everybody wants to try and give her a chance," Bauman said.
To reduce the risk of transmitting feline leukemia virus, Crisp needs to be placed in a household that either has no other cats or has other cats who also have the virus, Bauman said. Feline leukemia virus can be prevented through vaccination; the virus cannot be passed to humans.
Donations to defray the cost of Crisp's veterinary care are being accepted to the Humane Society of Kandiyohi County's special needs medical fund. The fund helps pay for extra medical expenses that are incurred for adoptable shelter animals who are sick or injured. Donations can be mailed to the Humane Society of Kandiyohi County, Box 709, Willmar, MN 56201.
