Stella the Stray Finds Her New Family

Stella, a 15-year-old Devon Rex

There’s a saying that cats have nine lives. Stella, a 15-year-old Devon Rex, must have been on number eight when she arrived to the Northeast Animal Shelter (NEAS), the MSPCA-Angell affiliate in Salem, MA.

Found wandering alone in the woods, poor Stella was in rough shape. She was anemic, underweight, and diagnosed with a heart murmur and Stage 2 chronic kidney insufficiency — which means that up to 75% of her kidney function had been lost. As if that wasn’t enough, Stella’s left eye was injured and had to be removed, and eventually, she will need to have her few remaining teeth extracted as well.

Yet despite all of her health woes, Stella remained an incredibly sweet and friendly cat who responded well to her treatments.

Once her medical needs were addressed, the next challenge was to find Stella a home where she could spend her remaining years being cared for and loved.

Dr. Fiona Land, the staff veterinarian at NEAS, felt her quality of life was good in the short term and guarded in the long term, making finding an adopter difficult.

But Stella’s affectionate nature and laid-back personality easily overcame any obstacles, and two weeks after arriving at NEAS, she went home with her new mom.

We know Stella’s ninth life will be her best, and we’re grateful to our donors for helping us give her that chance.