MSPCA-Angell Comes to the “Hopscotch’s” Rescue and now, after Surgery, Prepares to Place him in Loving Home
BOSTON and Methuen, Mass., Sept. 10, 2020 – At just five months old, young “Hopscotch” may not have lived to see his first birthday were it not for the quick thinking of a good Samaritan and an animal control officer who plucked him from the streets in Springfield, Mass., and rushed him to safety on Aug. 29.
Now, after surgery on Aug. 31, performed by veterinarians at the MSPCA’s Angell Animal Medical Center, to repair severe fractures to both of his front legs, the striking and loveable orange tabby is recovering at the MSPCA at Nevins Farm in Methuen, Mass., from which he will be placed for adoption.
A Unique, Severe Trauma
Mike Keiley, director of adoption centers and programs at the MSPCA-Angell, said that what happened to Hopscotch is baffling—and horrifying. “I cannot recall ever seeing a kitten injured so badly, with severe fractures to both of his humerus bones.”
Keiley is grateful for the staff at the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control & Adoption Center who came to Hopscotch’s aid, given that he could barely walk and was in severe pain when found. The cause of Hopscotch’s injury may never be known. “It’s possible he was hit by a car, fell from a significant height, or that someone harmed him intentionally—we’ll just never know for sure,” said Keiley.
A “Hero” Adopter Sought for Hopscotch
Following surgery, in which two steel plates were installed to re-join the bones to encourage healing, Hopscotch is recovering at Nevins Farm where, despite his condition, he remains playful, loving and social.
“He’s really the most incredible kitten and, at a time when kittens are so hard to come by at animal shelters across New England, we know he’s going to be very popular among potential adopters,” said Keiley. “But he’ll need a patient adopter who will see him through the next four to eight weeks of complete cage rest, and commit to any future medical care should he require additional procedures in the future.”
Interested adopters can email methuen@mspca.org for more information about the adoption process.
Hopscotch’s needs come at a time when the MSPCA continues to extend its services across Massachusetts in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Since the pandemic began, the organization has delivered nearly 600,000 pet meals to food banks and individuals, in addition to providing subsidized medical care to more than 2,000 animals.
Hopscotch is just one of thousands of animals the MSPCA will care for in 2020 alone—both inside and outside its three adoption centers. Readers who would like to offset the cost of the cats’ care—and the care of animals just like them—can click here to make a donation.
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