It was mid December, 2017 when three little kittens were found behind a building. The property manager contacted Friends for Life Rescue Network (a volunteer based rescue group founded by Jacqueline Santiago and Cristina Figueroa) for help.
“I saw these three gray kittens run between the space of two buildings (about 1/2 foot wide). They looked pretty young,” Jacqueline told Love Meow.
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Jacqueline set out a drop trap that she had in her car and left a trail of wet food to coax the kittens out towards the trap. 20 minutes later, the kittens began to emerge from their hiding hole but they never ventured out to the trap. Jacqueline placed the food near the hole and was able to grab them. After a brief escape scare from one of the kittens, they were able to get all three to safety.
Despite their very best efforts to save the kittens, one of them, named Bear, crossed the rainbow bridge that night. “Heartbroken, we set back to check on the other two kittens, Wolfie and Foxy.”
Wolfie was the smallest one weighing at a mere 15oz, almost half the size of his sister. The kittens were cold and hungry so they started working on getting them fed, keeping them warm and hydrated and removing all the fleas so they could finally rest comfortably that night.
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“At this point, we had no idea that Wolfie had problems. Aside from his adorable overbite and being underweight, he appeared to be eating well.”
A couple days later, Wolfie became lethargic and couldn’t keep any food in. Wolfie was barely hanging on. At one point, he stopped breathing, gasping for air. They placed him in an oxygen chamber and later did an x-ray which revealed that his entire esophagus was completely blocked up.
Friends for Life Rescue Network
“None of the vets at the clinic had ever seen this before. While at the ER, they pressed for me to euthanize. They said, ‘I understand you want to save him. But it’s a matter of…if you should.’
“I had a simple question. ‘Do you have diagnosis?’ ‘No.’ The doctor replied. ‘Then I’m not euthanizing him.'”
Friends for Life Rescue Network
They performed an endoscopy and managed to flush out the debris. Hours went by, little Wolfie finally woke up. As he opened his eyes, he made a tiny but hopeful squeak.
Jacqueline knew that the little guy wasn’t willing to give up and neither would she.
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“I was instructed to try him on a liquid diet of kitten milk and then hold him upright for 5-10 minutes after every meal and to feed every two hours.”
Right before his CT scan, little Wolfie started to bounce back. He was gaining weight and packing on new-found strength. He became active, playful and curious about his surroundings. The little scrawny kitten had transformed into a happy kitty with a full belly.
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“After his CT scan, the doctor discovered that he has a disorder where a tissue has grown and is making his esophagus super tiny. He has to be on a liquid diet until he weighs enough for corrective surgery,” Jacqueline told Love Meow.
With help from several fosterers who take turns looking after him around the clock, Wolfie is thriving!
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“He’s happy and spunky and brave. He’s a troublemaker and he loves my other cats. He’s already learned to climb my very tall cat tree! He sleeps like an angel.”
Wolfie showing off his adorable fangs!
Friends for Life Rescue Network
“He is now one pound and 14oz and gaining regularly. He has a HUGE belly! His overbite is to die for and he loves to stick out his tongue. His favorite toys are balls because he can chase them.
“When I kiss his face, he opens his mouth like he’s going to bite but he’s a total faker.”
The little miracle kitty has come long way.
Wolfie is having the time of his life at his foster home, stealing everyone’s heart with his adorable smiles and his amazing fight to live.
Friends for Life Rescue Network
