Special Needs Pets – Providing Sanctuary

Volunteers go above and beyond to help pets with special needs

Orphan Animal Rescue & Sanctuary was formed by a small group of dedicated pet lovers who believe
that every animal deserves a chance—even those who may otherwise be deemed adoptable—the shy,
the sick, the orphaned, the injured, the abused, the neglected, the unwanted misfits. Some of these
special needs pets may require a lifetime of treatment or extra-special care.

We will care for these special needs pets in our foster homes until we can raise the money to
buy or build a sanctuary.

Below are the stories of some of our special needs pets. Some are still available for adoption.

Please consider opening your heart and your home to one of these wonderful companions—they will
reward you with unconditional love that is immeasurable.

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

Roscoe

Updated December 9, 2009

Roscoe, now affectionately called Buster, survived his second tooth extraction surgery, he is such a trooper! His foster family has

decided to adopt him - they cannot imagine life without this sweet little soul. Hooray for Buster!

Updated July 25, 2009

Roscoe was dumped in the country as a kitten to fend for himself. It was cold and he and his little sister were lucky that an animal lover scooped them up and brought them into shelter. Orphan Animal Rescue was able to take them in February 2009. Roscoe entered foster care where he thrived and got his vaccinations and extra loving. He was promptly adopted by an adoring family due to his striking good looks and disposition....what a character.

Roscoe gives kisses to other cats, dogs and people alike.

At his first check-up after adoption some issues were noticed with his teeth. These weren't normal issues. Roscoe is suffering from a bacterial infection that required all of his teeth to be removed to keep him healthy.

Poor Roscoe.

After all he's been through ......

The surgery is expensive. The family felt he deserved the best care but that they couldn't afford his care and asked OARS to take him back with the hopes of re-adopting him someday.

Now Roscoe is living in sanctuary with one of our volunteers. His surgery cost more than $1,000 but we all agreed that we wanted to save his life. We are slowly repaying the veterinary costs for him. If you'd like to contribute to help us repay for Roscoe's vet costs, please email orphananimalrescue@yahoo.com.

Baby Pumpkin

Updated early March, 2009

Hi, I'm the cutest and littlest kid on the block! I was born Sept. 28th, 2008 to my Mom, Princess Purrsalot, in the

safety and protection of an OARS foster home. They called me a "miracle baby" because I survived and none of

my kitten sisters or brothers did. :( Those first few weeks were a struggle for me, but I'm a survivor, and I lived

through it all.

Unfortunately, my foster mom noticed that something was still wrong with me when I was still very little. I didn't

grow very fast, though I tried my best. I often had a hard time getting enough milk, but I still fought and survived.

Well, turns out I have an enlarged heart as well as a small hernia inside my heart. The veterinarians told my foster

mom that I wouldn't live past my 3-month birthday, but I did! But I need medication and special care the rest of

my life.

Although I'm expensive to take care of, OARS has happily accepted me into their very special sanctuary program.

If you would like to sponsor my care or help other kids like me, please send a check or donate online on the

OARS home page, and note that your donation is in honor of me, Baby Pumpkin.

Life has been so much fun, I love to play with dogs and cats! I am very fearless despite the fact that I have a

major heart defect. I love to run, jump and play with anything that moves! I am extremely playful and I love to chase

and play with my foster cat sisters and brothers. Sometimes,my foster mom has to sit me down and hold me for a little

while so I can catch my breath. I enjoy my life and would like to live as long as I possibly can, but the road ahead will

be challenging for me and many donations will be needed to help me live. I know I can survive, I just need a little help!

Will you help me?

Update 03/21/09: The vet said that I for sure cannot be adopted because of my heart condition. She said I could live

for weeks, or even maybe a year, but it is hard to tell. But the good news is, I made it through my neuter surgery!

But anesthesia was really hard for me and my heart kept racing and slowing down. They didn't think I'd pull through,

but I did! My foster mom is so proud of me! I am determined to continue to live out my life and love everyone around

me as much as I can before I go over Rainbow Bridge. Say a little prayer for me!

Pumpkin celebrating in-style at New Years :)

Update 04/07/10: Last month was a hard month for me. I caught a cold and my forever foster mom was worried. I could tell because she told me how much she loved me every second of the day. She even took time off work to just sit with me and cuddle me for hours and hours. I told her I was strong and would get through it, because I'm Pumpkin! Thank you to Kaukauna Veterinary Clinic for giving me good care and for directing my mom to visit UW Madison's Veterinary Teaching Hospital. After a few visits, an echocardiogram, oodles of x-rays and a bunch of other tests, they diagnosed me with a large 8mm hole in my heart across the bottom two ventricles. The doctor told my Mom that I am a true fighter (duh?!) and my heart had enlarged and found a way to equalize pressure and pump as normally as possible. With lots of TLC and even a little ice cream, I gained my weight back, got rid of the scary fever and now like to bounce around the house like normal.

I am a forever sanctuary cat. I live with a bunch of other kitty misfits and a super awesome pit bull, Kaiya. She watches out for me. I may not live forever, but in the time I do have, I am going to live it to the fullest, catching bugs, stealing mom's shrimp at dinner and occasionally hiding twist ties.

Bubbles (Rainbow Bridge), Buttons (Rainbow Bridge) and Mack Daddy (Adopted!)

Updated December 9, 2009

Our wonderful little girl Bubble has gone over Rainbow Bridge, where she is playing with Buttons, finally

at peace. We miss this sweet girl and will always hold a special place in our hearts for her.

Updated May 27, 2009

Our sweet Buttons has gone over Rainbow Bridge, where she is finally at peace and where we can cuddle

with her when we meet her there someday. It was very sad to lose this sweet little one, but we were so blessed

to have had the chance to know and love her for the year she was with us. Her sister Bubbles continues to thrive

in her foster home, and their sweet brother Mac Daddy is happy as can be in his adoptive home.

Update 1/27/09: We are absolutely thrilled to share with you that Mack Daddy has been adopted!

However, his two sisters, Bubbles and Buttons, are still patiently waiting for their new forever homes.

Update 12/30/08:

These sweet siblings are very special to all of us here at Orphan Animal Rescue & Sanctuary. These poor
little orange tabbies were found abandoned in a mud field north of Appleton when they were just little
babies, in August of 2008. Luckily, a kind person brought them to one of our wonderful volunteers, and
she has cared for them in her home ever since.

The reason these three “orangies” are special is because they have tested positive for feline leukemia.
Feline leukemia is a rare disease that affects the kitties’ health. However, kitties can live for quite
awhile with leukemia, they just need extra special care (not to be let outside, not to be exposed to the
elements, etc. so they don’t get sick).

For more detailed information about the feline leukemia virus, please visit the Cornell Feline Health
Center at: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/felv.html

Also visit our Small Miracles page

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