Crescent-News.com - Using all 9 lives

By GEORGIA KOHART

Unlike her name, Feliz Navida Grace Rhoda has a story that is all too ordinary. It is a tragic tale of cruelty and abandonment. And like most cases of abuse, it comes with high costs -- physically, emotionally and financially.

Despite Feliz' Christmas-inspired moniker, her beginnings were nothing to celebrate. When she was found frozen to the road during last December's ice storm, it appeared the ending would be quick and not happy.

Feliz is a cat. Petite, with a shiny black and white tuxedo coat, nothing is immediately noticeable that would indicate she had suffered a devastating head injury. However, she frequently walks in loops and shows symptoms of a permanent neurological deficit. Inspired by the young cat's experience, the Feliz Fund has been established to provide financial aid in the care of injured and abused cats and kittens which arrive at the Friends of Felines Rescue Center.

What is known of Feliz' story began Dec. 17 when a man (who wishes to remain nameless) started out in his car around 7:30 a.m. When he noticed a small, flattened body encased in ice and frozen to the road, he assumed it was road kill. When he returned about 30 minutes later, the little black thing was still there. He left home again five hours later and was horrified when the tiny animal raised her head. He immediately stopped and was further appalled when he discovered he would have to use a spade to gingerly pry her off the road. He rushed the kitten to a friend, who immediately began warming the animal and contacted the Friends of Felines Rescue Center (FFRC).

At FFRC, she was treated for extreme hypothermia and head injury. Because she demonstrated symptoms that indicate severe neurological damage -- eyes completely dilated, no swallow or other reflexes, and the knuckling under of her paws -- her prognosis was poor.

According to FFRC director Jacci Moss, winner of the 2008 Animal Planet Cat Hero of the Year honor, Feliz appeared to be suffering from an all too common set of injuries that results when an animal is thrown from a moving car.

"We call it pizza face," Moss said. "The poor cat hits the pavement with all the force going to the face and can result in broken jaws, torn lips, facial lacerations."

Feliz' experience, while appalling, it is all too familiar to the staff at FFRC.

"We see about 12 kittens a year that have been thrown from a car," Moss added. "Why don't they just bring them in? We've had people come in with them and threaten to throw them in the river if we don't take them."

Moss says she and the staff at FFRC have just about seen it all: cats' ears epoxy glued shut; drownings; injuries from stabbing or being kicked; allowing the family dog to attack and almost kill their own cat; dousing with gasoline and setting the animal afire. These are just a few of the disturbing cruelty cases received at the rescue center.

Remarkably, the cats subjected to such abuse all survived and are living in loving adoptive homes.

Like those cats, some creatures possess an incredible will to survive and Feliz is one of them.

The third day after rescue, she began nibbling food on her own, on the fourth she attempted standing and on the fifth she began to walk -- in tight circles. All the while, due to head trauma, she purred continuously. At that point, she was also blind and deaf. She has since regained her sight except for peripheral vision. It is believed her hearing loss will be permanent. Moss was so taken with the cat's personality that she and her husband, Steve, have adopted her.

What is the financial cost for medical care for abuse cases? FFRC's total for Feliz' treatment added up to $170 for supplies, but that doesn't count the time and effort involved in her recovery or regular costs for routine vaccinations, spaying, feline leukemia testing, worming, flea prevention and feeding and litter. While funds for these cases currently come from the non-profit organization's general fund, they take a big chunk out of everyday operating expenses, of which every penny is needed. That is why the Feliz Fund was created to provide extra funds for cats that come in injured and abused.

What can people do in addition to contributing to the new Feliz Fund?

"Spay and neuter their cats," Moss said. "The overpopulation of cats and kittens in itself is a form of abuse. If every person would spay or neuter just one cat, it would have a positive effect on this huge problem. Many people want to provide spaying and neutering for their pets, but can't afford it even at the low-cost rate."

For more information about donating to the Feliz Fund for injured and abused cats and kittens or making a charitable gift by sponsoring a spay or neuter for cats or dogs, contact Friends of Felines Rescue Center at 419-393-2400. One hundred percent of all funds are used for their designated purpose.