Patch Readers Donate About $500 for Malden Cat's Surgery

After learning about a Malden cat that needed money for surgery, Patch readers donated nearly 50 percent — about $500 — toward the cause, according to Jenn Hayes, a cat coordinator for Broken Tail Rescue.

Tally, a 2-3-year-old domestic short-haired calico found in early September in a driveway on Wentworth Street in Malden, needed to have her injured front left leg amputated on Sept. 11. The amputation was estimated to cost roughly $880 to $1,400 depending on how the surgery went, and the organization hoped to raise at least $1,200.

"First off I would like to thank you for running Tally's story so promptly. With your help we were able to get to our goal of $1,200 within 24 (hours) of you running the story!" Hayes said. "We got just about $500 donated just from Patch readers! There are so many generous people out there...its just amazing!"

Since the surgery, Tally has been recovering at the home of her foster dad, Stefan, and "(she) seems to be getting along well without the injured leg," Hayes said.

"Our girl is doing quite well considering how much she has been through. She has two scars, a large one from her amputation and another from her spay," Stefan said. "...Tally walks around rather well on three legs, but she's practiced at this, as her bad leg was nearly useless before it was removed. Fortunately, her appetite is good.  

"In fact, Tally has been eating like a minuscule pig, though I need to hold the bowl for her while she eats wet food - if I don't she gets it all over her collar. Luckily, she is good about medications. I had no trouble getting her Clavamox and pain (medication) into her...Tally seems in remarkably good cheer and she is a very sweet, smart, endearing cat."

For more information on how to adopt a cat from Broken Tail Rescue, contact Jenn Hayes via email at jenn@brokentailrescue.org.