Small Miracles

Heartwarming stories of homeless pets we have been able to help--with your support

Each one of the pets we save is a small miracle, because with your help, we can save their life.

But some of our stories are truly amazing--stories of pets who are shy, sick, orphaned, injured, abused,

neglected, or just unwanted misfits--and the generous, caring people who help nurture them back to health

and find them new forever homes are truly amazing individuals.

Together, it is truly miraculous what we can achieve. Read some of our most special pets' stories below.

"We can do no great things. Only small things with great love." --Mother Theresa

Please note: this page will be updated soon...we have dozens more stories to share...

The Spirit of Hope and Compassion: Spirit's Story

Mid November, 2008

We got a call from one of our veterinary partners...a woman had just brought in a very sickly cat,
infested with parasites and dying. OARS was their only hope. One of our very generous and caring
foster homes agreed to take this poor kitty in and nurse her back to health. This is Spirit's story.

Late November, 2008

From her foster mom...

"Cloudy eyes, raspy breathing, emaciated body and the loudest purr ever heard shocked Amanda as this sick, tiny kitty came running into her garage. The kitty rubbed her thin frame all over Amanda's ankles as she
begged for food and affection. Amanda had kitties of her own in the
house and ran in for a bowl of food and water, which tiny Spirit immediately inhaled. Spirit looked up at her with cloudy eyes and her back legs dragged slightly. Amanda secured her in the garage and immediately started to call around to vets, shelters and rescues for help. She was told that due to Spirit's condition she would likely be euthanized and nearly everywhere was full.

The vet clinic told her to bring the kitty in and they would see what they could do. I had just disinfected my quarantine room in the basement and thought I would close it for the holidays. Spirit weighed in at 4.7 pounds, about half of what she should weigh. She tested negative for feline leukemia and FIV, we started her on antibiotics, eye medications, wormer, and vaccinations, high-quality food and when she's healthy enough, she'll be spayed. Spirit is now safe, though I lovingly refer to her as a biohazard. She's fighting to survive and her will is strong.

...the life in her was still there; a little flame of hope."

Mid December, 2008

From her foster mom...

"Spirit is improving. Her appetite is really hardy and she's up from 4.7lbs to 6.0 lbs. She's able to control her bowel movements now and I've let her out of the cage and into the quarantine room. Her eyes are runny, but not completely clouded over like before. She will be really pretty when she's healthy again."

Early January, 2009

From her foster mom...

"Her breathing still sounds weird, but her eyes are clearing and she's put on weight. She is nearly asymptomatic now and was quarantined for over 40 days. She has moved to the larger foster room with the other kitties now, but is still quarantined for litterbox and feeding until she's completely clear. I'm optimistic for a good recovery, though her eyes may always be scarred.

January 24, 2009

We are absolutely thrilled to share with you that Spirit has been adopted!!!

A Family Reunited: Chloe's Story

We got an email from a local veterinary clinic who had found a stray kitty and were wondering if we could take her to adopt her out...we agreed to bring her into foster care...our volunteer who picked her up at the vet clinic had a vague recollection of a lost kitty she had seen online more than a year earlier...she contacted the original owner and sent her a picture of the kitty, and amazingly, she was an exact match, and had been found close to her original home. An amazing story of reuniting a beloved pet with her guardians, nearly a year later...never give up hope...

Early November, 2008
From Chloe's guardian:

"I would like to thank you and your organization so much for reuniting my Chloe to me after her being gone for a full year. I still am trying to soak all of this in. Its still seems unbelievable that she is home with us. I have just been staring at her for hours. I can't even begin to thank you enough. The foster mom told me that she was a bit wild. She seemed really crazy when I went to see her and as soon as we got home and I let her out it was like she was a different cat. It was amazing. She started eating and drinking and purring like crazy. She came right up by me and let me hold her and pet her.

Thank you so much-
+ Jessica R, Darboy, WI

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