When Ruth Rickard, deputy manager at Gables Farm Dogs and Cats Home, showed up for work one chilly morning, she stumbled upon a sight that would tug at the heartstrings of any animal lover. Right on the doorstep of the shelter, was a pet carrier. Inside? A frightened, shivering cat that had clearly been through a rough patch.
This wasn’t just any stray drop-off. The cat, huddled up without a blanket and with only a damp towel for cover, had been left outside for who knows how long. The note attached to the carrier told a sad story: the cat suffered from constant diarrhea and refused to use a litter box. Overwhelmed, the previous owner thought the cat was seriously ill and decided to leave it at the shelter, hoping for a miracle.
A pet owner left this note on a carrier that contained the person’s cat. Photo courtesy of Gables Farm Dogs and Cats Home
Rickard didn’t waste any time. She brought the cat in, warming her up and giving her the first decent meal she probably had in a long time. The shelter named her Dusty Bin. Dusty was scared and skittish, barely a shadow of what a healthy three-year-old cat should be. But here’s where the story takes a turn. “(Dusty was) really thin. I would expect a healthy cat her age to weigh about 4kg (8.8lb),” Rickard said.
She weighs about 2.6kg (5.7lb). That’s about the same as a six-month-old kitten.”
Despite the grim details in the note, Dusty started to show signs of improvement almost immediately after being taken in. “At our wonderful non-euthanasia charity she is using her litter trays, is eating well, and does not have diarrhea,” Rickard said, sharing the good news that flipped the script on Dusty’s fate.
The newly-named Pumpkin was rescued by a loving family. Photo courtesy of Gables Farm Dogs and Cats Home
The staff was able to find a family for the cat, who was renamed Pumpkin. “(Pumpkin) has now taken over our home in a good way. Her two favorite resting places are on the sofa or curled up with my son on his bed,” the family said.
She’s crazy with a big heart and just loves to be made a fuss over.”
The staff at Gables Farm are no strangers to tough cases, but Dusty’s situation struck a chord. It was a clear reminder that sometimes, pet owners feel so backed into a corner that they see abandonment as the only option. “The sad thing is that if the owner had approached us for help then we would have taken this poor cat into our care, as we always make space for desperate cases,” Rickard pointed out, underlining the tragedy of Dusty’s unnecessary ordeal.
In the end, she said, this is a story of resilience, compassion, and the power of a second chance. Pumpkin, she said, is proof that sometimes, all you need is a little help to turn things around. “We are just happy that she is safe now and getting the veterinary care that she needs plus lots of TLC,” Rickard said. Watch below to see the wonderful Gables Farm and how they take care of the animals they rescue.
