A severely injured kitten was found abandoned at the side of a road in Orillia recently.
A passerby happened to see the hurt feline and came to his rescue, taking him to the Orillia OPP detachment.
"An officer rushed the kitten to the Mariposa Veterinary Hospital in Orillia," said Robin Elliott, the community development coordinator for the Midland Animal Centre.
The cat, dubbed Little Georgie, was found to have suffered extreme nerve damage to his right front leg. He had also lost the skin on his chin and abdomen area.
"To give Georgie the best chance at a pain-free life, amputation of his leg was recommended," said Elliott.
The cat also needed extensive stitches to try to reattach the skin around his chin and abdomen, Elliott explained.
The approximately 14-week-old kitten was transferred to the Allandale Veterinary Hospital in Barrie for surgery and is now on the road to recovery.
The good Samaritan who found Georgie generously donated $400 toward his emergency care and the OPP also held a fundraiser at the detachment in Orillia, raising $750, said Elliott.
It's "an amazing story of collaboration and love," she said.
However, more money is needed to cover the cat's veterinary costs. It's estimated about $500 more is needed and Elliott is hoping local pet lovers might step up to support the effort.
To make a donation, call the centre at 705-534-4459 or donate online at www.ontariospca.ca and specify the Midland Animal Centre for the fund allocation.
Elliott said the Midland facility is looking after the cat's care because the Orillia Animal Centre already had a "major medical case" and did not have the capacity to take on another one.
Whatever happens, it looks like Georgie will have a safe and secure future. Elliott said the cat is recovering in his new "foster-to-adopt home" of a friend of the OPP officer who originally rushed him to the vet.
Officials urge people who are unable to look after their pets to contact their local OSPCA or animal rescue agencies.
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