Injured Stray Cat Heals At Dedham ARL, Finds Forever Home

DEDHAM, MA — A stray cat that was once so severely injured it needed a leg amputation has happily found its forever home thanks to staff the Animal Rescue League of Boston's Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Center.

Ant was a two-year-old stray cat in Middleboro when he was found by ARL staff. He had suffered severe lacerations which were clearly infected, and he needed medical attention immediately. Ant was taken to ARL’s Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Center for treatment. Unfortunately, the injury to his left hind limb was beyond repair, and needed to be amputated.

After his surgery, Ant was required to go into a state-mandated, four-month quarantine for a wound of unknown origin. Ant started out shy and anxious around people, since he was a stray, and needed time to build up his social skills.

While Ant was initially hiding and tense, shelter staff and volunteers began spending time with Ant, approaching slowly, and using purr machines, soft music and even reading aloud to get him to relax. Over time Ant’s body language improved, he was hiding less and was even allowing brushing, full-body pets, and chin scratches.

Ant’s tremendous progress over a four-month period made him an easy decision for his adopter, who fell in love at first sight, ARL said. Ant is settling in to his new home well and is sure to give plenty of love and purrs for years to come.