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By: Dr. Amanda Glew
Things always seem to happen in a “made to be” way. This was the case of a little cat, who was delightfully named “Flite” because of her auspicious beginnings… She was found in the parking lot of the Dorval airport.
Many of you may of heard of the “Pet Squad” based at the Dorval airport. We have 2 certified dogs from the area that I know of – Keeper and Lexi, with their people Tammy and Tracy. I have known and had the pleasure of working with both humans and canines over the years. Those of you may remember that Keeper represented Canada in the world Canine Agility trials a few years ago, and he also won the best tricks at one of our winter Carnivals in Hudson. Lexi is new to the podium – her claim to fame is having been fostered by me last year, and was such a wonderful dog that I encouraged (or rather told) my good friend Tracy that she was a keeper. So she was adopted through Rosie Animal adoption. Both of these working canines are rescues, which makes me very proud.
Tracy and Tammy are sisters, and they are often asked if I am a sister as well. As I do not have any sisters, I feel very honoured to be a sister by association. But the thing is about these two ladies, is that stray, hurt and rescue animals, of any species, seem to find their way to these two. Inevitably, I am called in to help in any capacity that I can. For example, last year Tammy noticed 3 cats left behind when someone sold their house. Quite feral, she took weeks before being able to trap them. Then another few weeks to have them vaccinated, spayed and neutered. I was called in and we managed to vaccinate them under the bed – Tammy pushing them into a wall and me reaching from the top to inject them quickly. Finally, a few more weeks to home them, where they have settled down and lost a lot of their initial fear. It takes a very dedicated animal lover to do all of this.
So when I was told about this small feral cat that the ladies saw when doing their volunteer duty with their dogs, I was pleased that my staff at the Timberlea Veterinary Clinic were all willing to pitch in. I told them “trap her, bring her to us, and we do the rest”. Johanne Tassé the founder of the Pet Squad, (and founder of Companion Animal Adoption Centers of Quebec) actually started the rescue. She got the trap and coordinated with a worker from Valet Parking who also loves cats and would see this little stray occasionally. He kept an eye on the trap and called us the morning she was caught. Johanne brought her into TVC. So, it was a real combined effort between the ADM (Aeroport de Montreal), Pet Squad & TVC. After 2 weeks of attempts, Flite finally succumbed to the food in the trap, and was brought in. A day or two in isolation and acclimatizing to the clinic, we anesthetized her, spayed her (she had an early pregnancy, how this happened in the airport is beyond me!), tested for Felv/FIV, vaccinated, microchipped and dewormed. She has now returned to Tracy’s home for further rehabilitation before her forever home is found. I am pleased to say she is already responding to human touch and kindness.
WhenI next saw a Facebook posting of Tammy and Gryn rounding up a white bunny in the same parking lot this week, I couldn’t help but wonder….. it is the week before Easter, is this a surprise?
So if you are ready to adopt this little feral cat, please contact us at the clinic! (514) 505-6555
