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10/05/2015 10:32 AMAs special needs animals continue to arrive, the town's shelter is putting out a call to support a new batch of cats in need of extra care.
Branford-North Branford Cosgrove Animal Shelter Director Laura Selvaggio Burban reports the shelter hit a tipping point late last week with four cats with special needs. She's seeking donations to assist the animals and hoping to create awareness to find anyone interested in adopting them.
"We have taken in quite a few special need animals in the last three weeks, including an abandoned poodle with a big heart murmur, and an [abandoned pit bull] with no ears with a terrible skin condition, plus a mom pit mix with five baby puppies! But to top it off, we have a few separate groups of special needs cats," said Burban.
Burban said one cat group is made up of two sibling Siamese kittens abandoned and currently 10 weeks old. The female kitten was born without eyelids and the male (a possible Maine Coon/Manx mix) was born with no tail and half eyelids. Burban notes the two will likely need eye ointment treatment for life and possibly surgery when grown. Additionally, they need to be placed together due to bonding.
Additionally, Burban is seeking assistance with a 12-week old kitten born with a condition that causes it to be known as a "T-Rex."
"I have never seen one in person until now (but) she is a kitten born with two front legs inverted and shortened, so she walks on her back legs, like a T-Rex. She can play and run around like other kittens and just purrs non-stop! But she will need someone who can open their heart to this baby and take loving care to keep her indoors for life. She is amazing," said Burban.
A fourth special needs cat is "Double Stuff" a black and white male rescued from his 100' climb into a tree last week.
"An awesome tree company came out to save him. His owner does not want him back because it was found out that he has both AIDS and ringworm and he will need to be an indoor cat for life," said Burban.
She said the shelter is working to get Double Stuff's ringworm under control before he will be eligible for adoption; after which no special medication will be required for ringworm.
"So I am begging for help to raise awareness for these babies, and to hopefully take in donations to help care for all these special needs homeless pets," said Burban.
The shelter serves the towns of Branford and North Branford and is located at 749 East Main St. Branford.
Anyone interested in assisting can get in touch with Burban at the Cosgrove Shelter by calling (203) 315-4125 or sending an email to lburban@branford-ct.gov More information at www.branfordanimalshelter.org