Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs A senior cat surrendered by her family in a condition of extreme neglect was found to be harboring an even more disturbing secret beneath her fur.There are any number of reasons why people choose to surrender a pet to their local shelter or rescue. In 2024, a study published in the journal Animals saw researchers examine 2,836 records of animal relinquishments at a U.S. shelter to try and identify the most commonly cited reasons.Behavior issues (28 percent), a lack of adequate housing or the fact they were moving (18 percent), an inability to properly care for the pet (16 percent), too many pets in the home (10 percent), financial problems (6 percent), and allergies (5 percent) were the most common.On the face of it, Xena the cat’s surrender to her local shelter in South Carolina could be attributed to a mix of these reasons. “We rescued Xena from a Municipal Shelter. She was surrendered with 2 cats and 1 dog,” said a spokesperson for Love 4 Paws Rescue, the non-profit rescue organization currently caring for Xena. “We don’t know much about her life, only that she was surrendered because the family had a baby.”
Xena’s X-rays revealed that the senior cat appeared to have been badly neglected.
Xena’s X-rays revealed that the senior cat appeared to have been badly neglected.
Love 4 Paws Rescue
From the moment they met Xena, however, it was clear that this was no ordinary surrender. Xena was in a state of extreme neglect. “Her hair was matted and she was underweight,” Love 4 Paws Rescue said. “Her matted hair smelt like urine and feces. It was neglect and lack of appropriate care.”Love 4 Paws Rescue regularly rescues owner surrenders from municipal shelters and euthanasia lists. Xena is 10 years old. It’s entirely conceivable that, in different circumstances, she might not be here today.That was always the danger in surrendering her to a shelter with a euthanasia list but, as Love 4 Paws Rescue noted, it was probably “a better place than the place she called home.”When Love 4 Paws Rescue first took Xena in, they made another alarming discovery. “We noticed when we rescued her from the shelter that she had a bone protruding from her chest,” they said. They took Xena to a vet, where X-rays revealed the shocking truth.”That bone was her sternum. The vet confirmed it was an old injury/break that was never addressed with her previous owners,” Love 4 Paws Rescue said. “Thankfully it doesn’t cause her any pain anymore, the vet was able to pop it into place but it doesn’t stay in place.”Xena’s age makes surgery on the issue too risky. Besides which, it was determined the bone was not causing her any pain and was not considered a life threatening issue.The discovery was nevertheless a shock to Xena’s rescuers. “I’ve never seen a cat with an injury to the sternum like that,” Love 4 Paws Rescue said. “Both the vet and I were perplexed as to what could be the exact cause, but it was definitely an old injury/break.”In these kinds of circumstances, it might have been expected and entirely understandable for Xena to be down, or struggling in her new surroundings. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.”Despite all of that, Xena has the most affectionate personality,” Love 4 Paws Rescue said. “She follows us around everywhere and nudges us for kisses. She truly is a very social and happy kitty!”Xena’s story came to light after Love 4 Paws Rescue posted pictures to social media showcasing her condition alongside a simple promise that she will “only know love” from here on out. “She will never have to worry about her needs not being taken care of ever again,” they said.It’s a promise Love 4 Paws Rescue has been busy living up to. She’s been put on a course of treatment to address issues with her liver, a UTI and coccidia. She’s also been properly groomed with all of the matted, dirty fur that was making her life difficult cut off. The focus now is on helping her put on some weight. Then Xena will finally be ready to discover what a loving forever home feels like. She won’t have to wait for long either.”Xena has an adoptive family waiting to adopt her from our rescue once we finish getting her healthy,” Love 4 Paws Rescue she said. “Until then she will remain under our rescue’s care.”Ultimately, they hope that Xena’s story will “educate and inform the public on what rescues and shelters see every day” and the need to support these organizations through what is a crisis for animal welfare across the country.
Xena has had her matted hair cut off and is getting the treatment she needs.
Xena has had her matted hair cut off and is getting the treatment she needs.
Love 4 Paws Rescue
