In early December, our Admissions team received a call that an outdoor community cat had been spotted with a plastic object painfully embedded in her body. She was feral and avoided human contact, but was regularly fed by the admitter’s elderly father. While visiting to help her dad, the admitter saw the extent of her injuries and decided to help.
Once safely trapped, the cat was brought to Lollypop Farm for a medical assessment. We named her Vinyl, and what our veterinary team discovered was heartbreaking. Vinyl’s severe wound was caused by a plastic square lodged under her forelimb. Our veterinarians believe she likely wriggled into the plastic piece as a kitten and, as she grew, her body grew around it. Over time, the injury worsened, eventually leading to a bone infection.
Despite her pain, Vinyl was otherwise in good health. The hope was that if her injury could be treated, she could be returned safely to her outdoor home.
After a long and complex surgery performed by Lollypop Farm’s Medical Director, Dr. Cristina Cadavieco, at the Klingenstein Veterinary Clinic, the plastic was removed, the wound was thoroughly cleaned and closed, and Vinyl was spayed and vaccinated. These types of injuries are challenging even in friendly cats, and it was unclear whether Vinyl would ever regain use of her leg.
To help her recover with minimal stress, our Animal Cat Care team set up Vinyl in a quiet room with a cozy hut as her safe space. A camera allowed staff to monitor her overnight, when she felt safest, and the shelter was quietest. Slowly but surely, Vinyl began to heal. She took her medications mixed into her food each night, and before long, she started peeking out in the mornings, too.
Night after night, the camera showed progress from more movement to more confidence.
At Vinyl’s first recheck, the results were astonishing: her wound was nearly closed, and the bone infection was resolving. By the next visit, the wound had healed completely. While she healed beautifully, Vinyl did not regain full use of her leg, likely due to nerve damage. Sadly, this meant returning her to life outdoors was no longer safe.
A New Name, A New Life
Fortunately, Vinyl’s story didn’t end there. Audrey, a member of our Behavior team with a well-known soft spot for feral cats, had fallen in love with her. When the decision was made that Vinyl couldn’t return outside, Audrey already knew what that meant.
Vinyl went home. Now known as Vivian, she’s adjusting to a warm, comfortable indoor life with her new family. “Vivian still takes life at her own pace,” states Audrey. “She spent her first days hiding, but now she can often be found sleeping on a cat bed or on our bed. We continue to work with her gently — offering treats on a long spoon, talking to her, playing with wand toys, and showing her bird videos. She has even begun meeting some of her new feline siblings, sometimes chirping at them or choosing to nap nearby.
We love our little Vivian, and while she isn’t ready for pets (touches) yet, we hope that one day she will be. Thanks to the care she received at Lollypop Farm, we now have a chance to give her a loving home.”
Vivian’s journey is proof of what’s possible when compassionate community members, skilled veterinary professionals, and dedicated animal care staff come together for pets like Vivian.
