09/04/2026
🍪 Our sweet little rescue kitten, Cookie, recently went home with her new family, ready to begin the life we had always hoped she would have.
Shortly after, her family noticed that Cookie seemed to be walking a little funny. At her veterinary appointment, X rays were taken, and what they discovered completely blindsided all of us.
Little Cookie was born with a severe congenital abnormality in her right hind leg. Her kneecap is displaced, and her tibia is rotated.
After the evaluations and opinions of three different veterinarians, the recommendation was the same: amputation would be the best option for her wellbeing. While she manages now, as she grows older this abnormality would likely lead to significant arthritis and severe, chronic pain. Amputation would give her the best chance at a comfortable, active, pain free life.
That being said, getting this diagnosis and recommendation was when everything got a little crazy.
With an estimated surgical cost of $700 to $850, our little rescue simply did not have the available funding for a procedure of this magnitude.
However, Cookie is one of ours, and once they are part of Smitten Kitten Rescue, we will always do everything within our power to help them.
I was fully prepared to go stand on a street corner and panhandle for donations if that was what it took to get this little girl her surgery!
Then, by God’s grace, something incredible happened.
Stella's Shelter Fund stepped in.
Not only did they offer to help with Cookie’s surgery, they offered to COMPLETELY SPONSOR HER ENTIRE PROCEDURE.
There truly are not enough words to express how grateful we are.
Because of Stella’s Shelter Fund, Cookie will receive the surgery she needs without the financial burden standing in the way. She will have the opportunity to grow up without the severe pain this condition could have caused her, and continue her life surrounded by the wonderful new family who already loves her so much.
To everyone at Stella’s Shelter Fund, from the very bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU!
Thank you for believing that Cookie is worth fighting for. Thank you for giving her the chance at a pain free future. Thank you for supporting rescues like ours when we are faced with medical needs that are bigger than what we can handle alone.
And thank you for all of the incredible things you continue to do for animals, rescues, and our community.
Cookie may be losing a leg, but because of you, she is gaining something so much more important:
The chance to live the rest of her life happy, loved, and pain free.
