Furry Feature: Perfectly Imperfect "Broken" Pets

One somewhat common term that's used to describe injured or amputee dogs or cats is “broken pets.” They’re the dogs or cats healing from serious injury or hobbling around on three paws. 

Sure, they might be missing a few toes or sporting a few stitches, but we’re here to tell you: they’re far from broken!

Zoey (recently adopted) showing off her "weight" loss.  

Certainly, an injured pet needs to do some healing and a “tri-pawed” pet needs to do some adjusting—but pets are the ultimate adapters. With a little help from the friendly faces in our clinic to the caring community around us, we make sure our “broken” pets have a willpower and support system that remains unbroken. 

Who's saving who?

Here are just a few of our precious, perfectly imperfect pets in or just exiting foster/extended care: 

(i.e. get ready for some cute pictures.)

Mushu (Available for Adoption)   Adopted 5/30!

Pictured here: A "broken" Mushu not phased by his broken (and missing) leg.

Mushu came to us when he was just under two months old after a good samaritan found him lying in the street, supposedly after being struck by a car, with severe injuries.

His left leg was fractured so extensively that it was determined a medical necessity to amputate it. His slightly less fractured right leg was fitted with a cast and the healing process began. 

Despite the seriousness of his injuries, Mushu appeared and behaved much like any other ordinary puppy:  very excited for visitors and very eager to play! 

Though his positive attitude was infectious and endearing, our veterinarian believed that his excitability was likely to hinder his recovery time. A time that was already estimated to be lengthy. 

Recovery: Otherwise known to Mushu as "playtime."  

Mushu spent a lot of his healing time with our clinic staff and volunteers, mending and strengthening his leg through the end of winter and into early spring, until finally, at almost eight months of age, Mushu was deemed ready to go out for adoption. 

Alright, let's show this "adoption process" who's boss. 

Mushu is just as adorable and playful as ever. He was a wriggly little puppy to begin with, and his personality has transferred nicely as he approaches adulthood. He has an affinity for playing with his water bowl (a trait that leaves him with an extra "toy" bowl in his kennel) and you may find it slightly difficult to give him a few good pets until he burns through all his lively energy. 

Although Mushu has healed, our veterinarian believes it is likely he will require hip surgery sometime in the future. Because of this, Mushu has been given the title of Ambassador Pet. He is a representation of the medical and emotional care that was necessary to heal him and that will be necessary still as he grows. 

With his title comes a raised adoption price. This will help ensure that Mushu goes to a home that understands the cost that may be needed in order to properly care for him. 

And by the way: he's totally worth it. 

Bobcat (Will Soon Be Now Available For Adoption) Adopted 5/26!

Bobcats name suits him well, though another name suggested for him?

Q-Tip.

When Bobcat came to us, he was just under four weeks old. 

The ever unflattering clinic photo.

He was a stray with a painful and swollen injury just at the tip of his tail. After careful deliberation, a surgery was conducted to remove the small injured area, leaving Bobcat with a normal, albeit shorter, tail.

They removed my what?

His shortened tail has done little to affect his drive to do and act the way any other kitten might act. He enjoys hopping around the examining table egging the clinic staff on to play with him more and more, and he'll generally leave his kitty toys behind in his kennel to find other more unconventional things to sink his kitty claws into.

Bobcat reaching out for his next new toy.

Bobcat's stay in the clinic should be coming to an end soon.  Bobcat is now available for adoption and is presently residing in one of our sun rooms in the Kitty Pavilion. Currently, he's 2 1/2 months old and still learning to be a grown-up cat. 

Little shaved tail and all. 

Ukulele (Not Yet Available For Adoption) 

A fan of of booty scratches. 

You may not be able to tell, because she hides it so well, but Ukulele (or "Yuki" as I've come to call her) is missing her front left leg. She knows how to accessorize, and a pink kerchief does wonders. She's still adjusting, but she's not overly concerned with learning how to walk on one front paw. 

Someone who knows she's got it made.

She's a ham. She's affectionate, loves the attention, and would prefer you direct it mostly to her. She's not obnoxious or aggressive about it, you can just see it in her doleful eyes. 

Less pictures and more pets please.

Though she's not yet available for adoption, we don't expect that she'll be here long once she is. 

And that's okay! 

We invest so much in our pets because we just know there's a loving companion out there with a four-legged (or three-legged!) hole in their heart and home, and we know how eager our pets are to fill that void and gain a family. There's no need to feel sorrow for our perfectly imperfect "broken" pets--they're just adjusting! Not just to life after surgery, but life with full bellies, an abundance of toys, squishy beds, and a caring home. 

Interested in helping out pets like Mushu, Bobcat, and Ukulele?

For these animals in need, contributions to Michaels Medical Rescue Fund are essential! This fund helps provide resources for those injured or ill animals treated at the San Antonio Humane Society. Visit SAhumane.org/donate for more details!