‘Miracle Kitten’ Flourishes Following a Life-Saving Operation
Zora’s journey took her from the brink of death to a warm, loving home, touching the hearts of everyone she encountered.
“I truly don’t know how she survived.”
That’s Dr. Megan McCarthy, a veterinarian at the Best Friends Lifesaving Center in Salt Lake City, reflecting on Zora’s incredible journey. This little kitten, with her big gold eyes, perfectly represents the enduring spirit of animals.
Kitten Survival Tale
Zora’s story kicked off with a call for help from a local shelter partner. Found hurt and alone in the cold, Zora desperately needed medical attention right away.
“She had really deep punctures near her spine,” Dr. Megan explains. “And there was this huge, infected wound stretching from her lower belly down to her leg and ankle.”
While it’s unclear exactly what happened to Zora, her injuries suggested she might have been attacked by a bigger animal. But Dr. Megan saw a glimmer of hope for Zora. With Best Friends aiming for all shelters to become no-kill by 2025, the team is all about joining forces with other groups to ensure pets like Zora get a shot at a joyful, healthy life.
Zora had to undergo emergency surgery to treat and sew up her wounds. She came through the operation like a trooper, astonishing and endearing herself to the vet team along the way.
“We couldn’t believe she was not only alive but also walking, eating, enjoying cuddles, kneading, headbutting us, and just being incredibly friendly,” Dr. Megan shares.
However, Zora’s journey to safety wasn’t over. Once her condition stabilized, she was placed in foster care to start on her path to full recovery.
An Unbreakable Will
Recovering from her serious injuries would need time and lots of care, and a cozy foster home was just the ticket for Zora. She had to sport a medical cone during her stay, but that didn’t stop her from being her playful, loving self. In foster care, she indulged in the simple pleasures of life, like playing with toys and cuddling up with her human and
With each passing week, Zora healed, and her soft brown fur regrew, hiding the marks of her tough journey.
Once she was fully healed and got a clean bill of health, the lifesaving center quickly found Zora a forever family. Now, Zora is soaking up the good life, far removed from her days of struggling to survive. She’s thriving in a home filled with love, where she’s adored every single day.
Dr. Megan sums it up perfectly: “It’s always astonishing how cats can endure such intense trauma and come out the other side still affectionate and craving human touch.”
“We couldn’t be prouder of our little miracle kitten.”
Photo courtesy of Sarah Dallas
