Saturday, February 16, 2013

Kitten’s mouth burned off after drinking chemical is healing and seeking his forever home: Guest Blog by By Monica Drake Of The Oakland Press


A 5-month-old mewing kitten was found living on the street with chemical burns on his face and tongue, hardly able to breathe.
"Chairman Waffles"

It’s likely the cat tried to drink a toxic liquid before he was found in Detroit, said Kevin Hatman of the Michigan Humane Society in Bingham Farms. Hatman said if the cat continued to live outside, he probably wouldn’t have survived.

“He was obviously in a tremendous amount of pain,” said Hatman, a resident of Ferndale.

Humane Society veterinarians performed three surgeries on the tiny kitten after he was found in September — one to remove the necrotic skin around his mouth and nose, the second to remove the hard palate in his mouth that had been damaged, and the third to perform reconstructive surgery.

“The mouth is constantly exposed. You can see his tongue. And there are potential medical issues, but our veterinarians are pretty confident that, because (issues) haven't developed yet, there's a very low risk for future severe medical problems,” said Hatman.

Staff named the now 10-month-old domestic short-haired kitten Chairman Waffles, and, although his injuries are still healing, he is now ready for adoption.

“We're looking for a really special adopter. This is a condition that will have to be managed his entire life,” said Hatman. “He is going to need regular observation and to be looked at by a vet every year at least.”


  Chairman Waffles is currently living in Oakland County with his foster mom Dr. Amy Koppenhoefer, a veterinarian at the Humane Society, and another cat named Mr. Burns. Hatman said Chairman Waffles and Mr. Burns have become friends. He’s hoping, if possible, that the two cats could find a home together.

Koppenhoefer said, “I always end up fostering the special needs guys who come in here. He just happened to be exceptionally special.”

Hatman said now, Chairman Waffles is a “typical cat.”

“He's happy, always on the go, jumps around and likes to explore. He likes to cuddle and purrs a lot. If you didn't look at him, you wouldn't know that he's been through what he's been through,” said Hatman. “His recovery, both physically and emotionally, has been incredible.”

Hatman said the surgeries and antibiotics for Chairman Waffles cost the nonprofit thousands of dollars — money which all came from donations.

He said, “A lot of people don't know that we're a private, independent nonprofit. We're not the city pound. We exist solely because of our supporters. We don't get any money from the government. What we do is entirely possible because people support us. ... The need is very great.”

For more information about adopting Chairman Waffles call 313-872-3400. To donate to Michigan Humane Society, call 1-866-MHUMANE, visit www.michiganhumane.org or go to the administration building at 30300 Telegraph Road, Suite 220 in Bingham Farms.

MONICA DRAKE is the Community Engagement/Suburban Life Editor Reporter at The Oakland Press.

31 comments:

  1. Wow. I am so glad that kitten got rescued and got such amazing medical treatment! I know there is a good home out there for him.

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  2. What wonderful caring people to have given their time and money to save this sweet little one. I hope Chairman Waffles finds the perfect forever home where he can have lots of love and care.

    He looks a lot like one of my former fosters, Penguin.

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  3. Oh my God, my heart is just breaking and melting all at the same time. I can't even imagine what this little guy has been through...Bless those that have loved him, cared for him and made his recovery possible. I just know that someone is going to fall head over heels in love with him.

    Thank you for sharing his story with us.
    (((purrs)))
    Glogirly

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    1. Thanks for your response, Katie! I really hope he does too! I will email the Humane Society to see if he has found a home yet.

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  4. Big hugs to Chairman Waffles! We hope he finds a great home! We hope the kind people and shelter who rescued him get more donations too for all the amazing work they do. Take care
    x

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  5. What a remarkable story of Chairman Waffles! We're purring he and Mr Burns find their same forever family.

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  6. This little sweetheart needs a very special forever home. I pray he finds it soon xx

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  7. Poor little guy has had a rough start but it sounds like the vets have made it possible for him to hopefully find a happy (and safe) forever home. Bless his heart....

    Pam

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  8. What a heartwarming story. We hopes Chairman Waffles and Mr Burns find a home together, where they are loved and protected forever.

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  9. Poor little thing. Mummy and I will be sending some healing to him and we hope he and Mr Burns find a beautiful loving forever home together soon.

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  10. Oh my goodness... very hard to type after reading this... but what a precious and brave little soul this sweetheart is. I pray that Chairman Waffles and Mr. Burns find a together home soon... somehow I feel that they will...

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    1. I think so too! This story was featured on The Oakland Press and on Fox 2, so I'm hoping someone who heard this story can find a place in their hearts for these cats.

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  11. This just goes to show, there are some wonderful people left in this world. How great that they took him into the vets and the vets helped him so much. Hope he finds a great home.

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  12. Wishing Chairman Waffles a prompt recovery and a wonderful furrever home! He's such a brave kitty!
    Purrs

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  13. Oh dear - that poor baby. I';m so happy someone took him to the vet and the vet was able to do something for him. Such a sweetie too.

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  14. We hope he finds a forever home soon. High 5 to all who helped. Have a super Saturday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  15. oh my god - that is horrible.... But I am so thankful he was helped. Paws crossed that he finds himself a wonderful forever home...

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  16. poor baby hope he gets the special home he deserves

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  17. I hope someone in your area adopts him. how awful!

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  18. That is so very very sad & upsetting. I do hope he gets the home he deserves & the love he needs soon.

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  19. That precious innocent baby. Some horrible human was at fault no doubt. I pray he gets a loving home. I'm still here. We are just having hard problems. Starting to get better.

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  20. Poor sweetie! I teared up when I read this! I hope he finds his forever home as soon as possible. <3

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  21. That sweetie deserves all the love in the world and I hope it shows up soon.

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  22. Oh, poor sweet kitty! THANK CEILING CAT somebody stepped up to take such good care of him. I will purr that he gets a loving furever home very soon! XOXOXO

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  23. We heard about this kitty. We sure hope he finds a furever home.

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  24. I sure hope this story has a happy ending for Chairman Waffles.

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  25. Oh my, how very sad and worrying. Thank goodness somebody was there to help. May the poor cat get a loving home, very soon. I shall forward this through the various social networks.

    Gary

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  26. Poor thing! Purring for him to be adopted soon.

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  27. So grateful he was found and is taken care of! I hope he will find a good and loving home soon! It's the kind of kitty that calls your name. But aren't all kitties like that? Good thing this is a story with a happy end so far! Thanks for sharing!

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  28. I wanted to let everyone know that Chairman Waffles and Mr. Burns found a home!! Just got the email today! I was really excited! http://youtu.be/_vHjpu3eDgA

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