A few months ago, a scruffy, unkempt kitten was brought to an animal control center in Alberta, Canada. This tiny, disheveled ball of fur, later named Ziggy, had been discovered wandering alone in a commercial parking lot, seemingly lost and out of hope.
Rescuers from the Little Cats Lost Society described Ziggy as “one of the most neglected, sickly, and downcast little Persian cats” they had ever encountered. However, beneath his forlorn appearance lay an extraordinary secret waiting to be uncovered.
Ziggy was suffering from a severe ringworm infection, a fungal condition that had caused him immense discomfort from head to tail. The pain and irritation were so overwhelming that Ziggy could barely open his eyes.
Upon learning of Ziggy’s dire condition, volunteer foster mom Erin McDonald from the Little Cats Lost Society sprang into action. She immediately rushed to the shelter to bring Ziggy home, marking the beginning of his incredible transformation.
“It was clear he needed to be placed with someone experienced in caregiving and with an isolated area to prevent the spread of infection. I didn’t hesitate to say yes,” McDonald told The Dodo.
When McDonald first laid eyes on Ziggy, she was struck by something extraordinary.
“He was so small, only 3 pounds, but his eyes were bright and full of wonder,” McDonald said. “My heart broke for him.”
Due to his ringworm infection, Ziggy had to be kept separate from McDonald’s other pets, and she had to wear protective gear to avoid contracting the infection. Despite these challenges, McDonald was undeterred.
“We went home, and I quickly realized he loves snuggles and people,” McDonald said.
Ziggy began receiving oral medication and medicated baths twice a week to treat his ringworm infection. The results were encouraging, and tests soon confirmed that Ziggy was free of the infection, allowing him to leave isolation.
“Excitedly, he joined my other pets in the house. It seemed like this was his first time experiencing life in a home,” McDonald said. “He adapted well, and my other cats enjoyed his company. He began to play, explore, and even slept with me for the first few nights.”
As Ziggy settled into his new environment, he began to show signs of recovery, with his personality blossoming in ways McDonald had never imagined.
“He follows me around constantly,” McDonald said. “We’re really getting to see who he truly is now.”
Ziggy’s once-dull eyes have now regained their brightness, a testament to his remarkable resilience.
“I’m quite optimistic about his future, though we may be facing the reality that he might never be completely free of the infection,” McDonald said. “This could make finding him a permanent home challenging.”
Despite the uncertainties surrounding his health, Ziggy will always have a place with McDonald and her family.
Ziggy’s journey from a neglected kitten to a cherished member of McDonald’s family serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience and spirit of animals, even in the face of adversity.
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