Ref: http://www.myanimalcare.org/2011/05/surgery-on-lilac-cat-injured-in-car.html
I have been resisting writing about Lilac for some time now, but I think now is the time to tell the whole story, because FINALLY, the owner has taken her back.
Yes, FINALLY....after heaven knows how long.
On 14th May, a cat rescuer called me to tell me a VERY long story about this cat, named Lilac, that was going to be put down because of a leg injury. Apparently, Lilac is a pet and (I just found out a few days ago), it was actually the owner's sister's boyfriend who ran over Lilac and broke her leg. The family brought Lilac to the vet and was advised that a surgery (IM-pin insertion) could be performed to correct the fracture but it would cost quite a bit.
The family decided they preferred to have Lilac euthanised instead and paid the euthanasia and disposal fee.
This rescuer, who was at the vet's at that time, intercepted and called me. She gave a long story about how Lilac is now an abandoned animal and she would act as her rescuer. So, as a rescued animal, can we sponsor the operation in order to prevent Lilac from being euthanised?
I said yes, we would want to save a life, but our funds are only for strays and not pets. Lilac is a pet. The rescuer argued that Lilac is no longer a pet because she's been abandoned by the owner now, so technically, Lilac qualifies as a "rescued" animal.
I knew she just wanted to save Lilac's life, so I agreed. After all, ultimately, we are also here to save lives.
So I said I needed someone to be responsible for Lilac, who will it be? Whom am I going to liaise with? The rescuer said it would be her.
But I knew the operation would be very costly, so would she be willing to chip in with a donation? When we help, we will pledge up to 50% subject to a maximum. So, is she willing to share the bill?
"But I rescue so many cats, I have no money", she said.
Can you chip in RM50, I asked. I knew the operation would be a hefty sum. And I also knew that if I asked any more than that, the answer would definitely be a "no", so I only asked for RM50.
She reluctantly agreed.
A fosterer was also involved in this complicated tale. The fosterer said she would nurse Lilac for six weeks till full recovery, so at least there was now a short-term plan for Lilac.
But by evening, the story had changed.
The owner's sister (a Lisa) called me and said she is the "rescuer" of the cat. She was very upset with her brother for having neglected Lilac, but she will take over Lilac now. So since she is not an "owner", but a "rescuer", can we sponsor?
Hmm...brother is the "owner", sister is the "rescuer"?
Taking me for a ride?
But, this is all about saving Lilac's life, so I asked her the same thing - the surgery is going to be very costly, can you chip in a bit? Our funds do not fall from the sky.
There was a sob story, of course. But she said she would try.
You see, I don't ask for much. Is RM50 too much to ask from a working person in the Klang Valley?
So, the surgery was performed and everything went pretty well.
Lilac took a long time to recover as there were some complications in between and a second surgery was required, but I shall spare you all the details. If interested, please do a word search on "Lilac" and you can follow the story (minus these behind the scenes details).
The bill came up to a pretty hefty sum (as expected) and this was after subtracting the downpayment made by the owner for the supposed euthanasia and disposal of Lilac.
When Lilac was discharged, I settled the bill. Immediately, I texted the owner's sister (Lisa) to say the bill had been settled. She never replied. Till today, there has not been a single word from her.
The fosterer took Lilac home and nursed her.
The rescuer also forgot about her pledge to chip in.....until she needed help from me again for another cat.
So, she called me.
I said, sure, I'll help you with this other cat, but what happened to your pledge of chipping in for Lilac's bill?
There was, as expected, a VERY long story from her, which changed from one of total denial (I don't remember you asking me to chip in) to pleading ignorance (Oh, I didn't know the bill has been paid). I'm not very good with merry-go-rounds, so I cut her short and told her a human being is only as good as her word. Don't promise something and conveniently forget about it. That isn't right.
Meanwhile, the fosterer continued looking after Lilac. The owner's sister did not seem to want Lilac anymore because Lilac was still having problems in walking. Even the fosterer chipped in a donation to our fund.
In between this prolonged fostering period, the owner had apparently gone to the clinic twice asking if there were any new kittens for adoption. That was the time when they did not want Lilac anymore and had dumped her on the fosterer for good.
It is now August, and last week, I heard the owner (or his sister, I'm not sure) has FINALLY taken Lilac back. Apparently, Lilac can walk properly now and that is why that family has taken her back.
I hope this closes the chapter on Lilac, and we can only pray that it has a happy ending.
We wish Lilac a happy life with her owner (or his sister).
I shall let you draw your own conclusion to this story.
My final word on Lilac's chapter would be this - To those who want to abuse our funds for their own convenience by twisting the details of the real situation, or by concocting a story to pass a pet off as a "rescued" animal, please remember that you can bluff me but you cannot bluff yourself. Most importantly, you cannot bluff the Universe and the Universe is always fair.
As our Chief Reverend cautioned me when I started AnimalCare, he said, "In most charities, 20% of the people will try to abuse your funds. Let them, it's their own karma. Remember ultimately, you are here to help the animals, so even if they abuse your funds, you're still helping the animals."
Yes, Chief. I hear you.....thank you.
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