Peko has been keeping residents at a local senior home company during the pandemic, but people realized the cat was sick and called the Southern Alberta Humane Society for help.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
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A stray cat has been keeping seniors’ company at a local home, but residents noticed it looked unwell and they called the Southern Alberta Humane Society for help.
“They called us, we got a hold of the cat and now we’re vetting the cat and he’s doing well. It’s a good thing that they called us because he probably wouldn’t have made it this far now. He has a serious infection internally and he had liver problems, he has quite a bit wrong with him,” said De Seaton, president of the SAHS.
The orange and white tabby cat had frost bite on his ears and a broken tooth. The humane society named the cat Peko and his first trip to the vet cost $800.
Seaton says they are keeping in touch with the senior home and sending pictures and updates to share with residents who spent time with Peko.
“He was going there for weeks, visiting them and only the seniors could get close to him and he would sit on the wheelchair with them, sit outside with them but they saw that he was not well,” she said. “We’re hoping when the cat is well, we can take him there if COVID allows and we can let them see him again.”
Some seniors have faced loneliness throughout the pandemic and Seaton says tears were shed when they took the cat in because so many residents became attached to him.
The non-profit organization has set up a GoFundMe page asking for help as Peko continues to go through treatment and get better. Seaton says once they take in an animal, they are 100 per cent committed until they find a forever home. Peko’s first vet bill was $800 and the SAHS currently has 19 animals to take care of.
Seaton says Peko is currently recovering and gaining strength and she wants to thank the senior home for reaching out to them because if they hadn’t, Peko probably wouldn’t have made it.
Peko’s treatment is expected to cost up to $2,000 and the GoFundMe page has raised $90 as of Thursday evening.
Anyone who wants to help with Peko’s recovery can donate at https://gofund.me/3c51c768 or send an e-transfer to sahs.rescue@gmail.com.
