Your support makes love stories possible.
ith your help, animals get a fresh start at our shelter and new love stories are written every day. Make a gift today to help animals in need have the opportunity to have their very own love story unfold at HSWC.
Throughout July your gift will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $25,000, thanks to the generosity of God’s Grace Fund!
That means you'll have twice the impact and help write twice as many love stories.
Pumpkin's Love Story
It was a crisp November day when, on a whim, a man called out to a cat who was strolling behind his home. He was surprised when the orange and white feline ran up to him without hesitation. The poor creature was thin, and his coat was dull and unkept. Even so, the cat was affectionate and stayed close as they walked through the yard.
Little did they know that they had just stepped into the first chapter of their very own love story.
The cat lingered, so the man and his wife set up a cozy shelter on their porch. They reported him to the Humane Society of Washington County (HSWC) and posted a photo online in case someone was searching for him.
The couple also took him to the vet to be scanned for a microchip. There they learned that like them, he too was a senior.
Within a few days, the temperature plummeted. The couple brought him inside and began calling him Pumpkin. He quickly settled in to napping on his new dad’s lap. In the following weeks, Pumpkin was neutered and vaccinated, and the 6-pound feline steadily began to regain weight. They also started treating an ear infection and making plans for a dental. By January, Pumpkin weighed 7.5 pounds.
It’s amazing what love can do.
Like most good stories though, there was a twist that no one was prepared for.Three months after Pumpkin had been “found,” his original owner saw his photo online and reached out. Pumpkin’s new family was heartbroken.
They say that if you love something, set it free…and so they did.
Though under no legal obligation to return him, the couple wanted to do what they felt was right. With immense sadness, they gave Pumpkin back to his original owner. Their only solace was that they were returning him in better health than when they had found him.
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Three weeks later, a Good Samaritan found a sickly orange and white cat and brought him to HSWC. At a mere 6 pounds, his eyes were sunken in, and his pelvic bones protruded. HSWC’s Veterinarian noted his need for a dental, and on a hunch, ordered blood work to measure his thyroid levels. The test confirmed he had hyperthyroidism and would likely require daily medication for life. His levels would need to be stabilized before moving forward with a dental.
Again, like all good stories, there was a plot twist. The couple who had loved Pumpkin so much that they set him free, saw his photo online and realized he was at HSWC as a stray. They alerted staff that if he was not reclaimed, they wanted to officially make Pumpkin their own.
Despite multiple attempts to reach his owner, Pumpkin was never claimed. Now, he just needed a foster willing to medicate him twice a day and bring him in for follow-up bloodwork. Staff knew just who to call.
Pumpkin went back home with the couple who had fallen head over heels for him months before. When they got home, Pumpkin jumped straight into his dad’s lap, and they napped together in their favorite chair.
Pumpkin remained in HSWC’s foster care program as his medication continued to be adjusted. Once stabilized, he received his much-needed dental, and Pumpkin's family made it official -- they adopted him! After all, if you love something, you set it free; and if it returns, it’s meant to be. Pumpkin and his new family are truly meant to be.
Thanks to the generosity of God’s Grace Fund, every donation made throughout the month of July will be matched – dollar for dollar – up to $25,000.
It is only because of donors like you that HSWC is able to provide the specialized care that Pumpkin required. Because of you, he has a chance to spend his golden years with the people he most adores.
Help give other animals like Pumpkin the opportunity to receive the specialized care they need and the loving home they deserve. Please make a gift that will be matched today, so that together, we can give twice as many animals a chance to find their own special love story.
