“We’re really seeing who he is now.”
A few months ago, a small, dirty ball of fluff arrived to an animal control center in Alberta, Canada. It was a bedraggled kitten who’d been found wandering alone in a commercial parking lot, clearly short on hope.
Rescuers from the Little Cats Lost Society described him as “one of the most grody, sickly, depressed little Persian cats” they’d ever seen.
But beneath it all, he was actually hiding a stunning secret.
The little cat, named Ziggy, was suffering from a ringworm infection — a fungal condition leaving him feeling sore and irritated from head to tail.
Poor Ziggy was in such discomfort he could hardly even open his eyes
Erin McDonald
Through the Little Cats Lost Society, volunteer foster mom Erin McDonald, was alerted to Ziggy’s sad situation. She raced to the shelter to receive him — and everything began to change.
“It was determined he needed a placement with an experienced caregiver, with an isolation area. So of course I said yes,” McDonald told The Dodo.
That’s when she got her first look at Ziggy’s remarkable eyes.
“He was so small, only 3 pounds, but his eyes were bright and full of wonder,” McDonald said. “My heart broke for him.”
Ziggy’s ringworm infection would require him to remain separate from McDonald’s other pets, and the use of protective gear while interacting with him to avoid its spread. But that didn’t stop his new foster mom.
“We went home, and very quickly I learned he loves snuggles and people,” McDonald said.
Ziggy has been receiving oral medication, as well as medicated baths twice a week, to combat his ringworm infection — and the results have been encouraging.
Tests for ringworm came back negative, meaning that Ziggy was able to leave isolation.
Erin McDonald
“Enthusiastically, he came inside to socialize with my other pets. This seems to be the first time he’s been ‘in a house.’ So it was all new,” McDonald said. “He adapted well, and my other cats seem to like his company. He began to play and explore more. He slept with me for the first few nights.”
Erin McDonald
Ziggy is feeling more himself than he ever has before.
Erin McDonald
Though Ziggy is feeling much better and his ringworm appeared to have been entirely resolved, McDonald discovered that he will require some more treatments, as the issue is ongoing.
“Unfortunately, about a week ago, we noticed new spots on him,” she said.
Health issues aside, Ziggy is still thriving.
“He follows me around always,” McDonald said. “We’re really seeing who he is now.”
Erin McDonald
Light has returned to Ziggy’s big, beautiful eyes.
Erin McDonald
“I am quite optimistic about his future, but we may be facing the reality that he will never be clear of the infection,” McDonald said. “This could mean it would be hard to find him a home to live in.”
Regardless, Ziggy will always have a place with McDonald and her family.
Erin McDonald
Due the costs of Ziggy’s ongoing treatment and care, McDonald and the Little Cats Lost Society are appealing for help from the public. Donations can be made via e-transfer to LCLdonations@shaw.ca. (Please add “Ziggy” in the notes.)
Supporters can also help Ziggy, and other cats like him, by contributing to the Little Cats Lost Society’s Amazon wish list found here.
