Life can be harsh for any animal living on the streets, and cats are no exception. This was certainly the case for Frisbee, a poor cat who found himself lost and alone. 

He was discovered in a terrible state by a cat rescue group from the Lowell TNR Coalition. Frisbee’s fur was tangled and dirty and it was evident that he had been struggling to survive for quite some time. 

Luckily, Frisbee’s fortune was on the brink of turning around. The rescue team brought him to the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society in Salisbury, Massachusetts. 

The shelter employees were well aware that they had a challenging task ahead of them. It required a great deal of patience and compassion just to make Frisbee feel at ease for a proper examination, as they shared for Love Meow:

“He originally was found outside, severely matted (worst we have ever seen) and very hungry. He was caught as part of a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program, and was discovered to be friendly.”

After Frisbee was finally out of danger, the full extent of his neglect was revealed. The vet team had to spend hours shaving off his severely matted fur and he even needed anesthesia. 

As he regained consciousness, with his coat clean and free from the heavy burden he had been carrying, Frisbee started to purr.

However, he still had a long way to go on his road to recovery. Upon further examination, they discovered Frisbee required significant dental treatment as well. The shelter employees continued:

“Half of his teeth were missing; the ones that remained were so far gone that they all had to be removed. He had a very stubborn stomatitis infection in his mouth which requires lifelong medication.”

Despite his pre-existing health condition of FIV, the shelter remained committed to helping him. 

They knew that FIV was not a terminal illness, and they were dedicated to finding Frisbee a forever home with someone who would care for him properly. They mentioned:

“If that weren’t enough he tested as being FIV+. Many other rescue groups may have turned him away because of his many (extensive and expensive) medical issues. But MRFRS took him in and cared for him for months until he was ready for adoption.”

As Frisbee got the medical attention he required, the shelter workers praised his amazing personality. They labeled him as an “alpha cat” – self-assured and probably good at mingling with other cat buddies. 

This detail was crucial when Donna Atkins started looking for a new pet. Donna was on the hunt for a new addition to her furry family and stumbled upon Frisbee’s profile on an adoption website. She shared:

“I knew I had to make the 1-1/2 hour drive up to Salisbury to visit him. It was love at first sight, so Frisbee (now called Buffy Boy) came home with us.”

She was immediately captivated by his unique story and his confident, alpha-cat demeanor. She had a feeling that Frisbee could be the ideal companion for her beloved cat named Baby Cat. 

After a few introductions and plenty of snuggles, it became evident that Frisbee and Baby Cat had formed an instant connection. 

Now, Donna enjoys posting photos of her two happy pets, showing how strong their bond is after getting a second chance.

The Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society was delighted to witness Frisbee’s incredible progress in his forever home. Now that he is finally happy, his story is a perfect reminder that neglected animals can indeed find love and happiness, all because of the hard work of shelters and caring people like Donna.