Leaps of Love: Keggie's Happy Tail

By Savannah Verdon, RedRover Development and Engagement Coordinator

Exhausted after long days as full-time college students working part-time jobs, Lily and her boyfriend would come home to be greeted by their two little kitties, Keggie and Lottie. They were cherished members of the family and an instant mood boost.

Keggie is a gray tabby being held by his person, a caucasian female with blonde hair wearing a white sweater. Keggie's leg and abdomen are shaved from his surgery.

One afternoon, Keggie, the ever-curious male kitten, snuck out of their apartment and stealthily followed Lily to the parking garage adjacent to their building. When Lily noticed him, she rushed to scoop him up and bring him back inside, but the loud noise of passing traffic spooked him.

Keggie bolted and jumped off the third story of the parking garage onto the concrete below. In a panic, Lily and her boyfriend rushed him to the emergency room, where the veterinarian did a full exam and determined he had suffered no internal injuries. But he had a dislocated hip and a displaced fracture in his right leg. He was sent home that day with a temporary splint and would need surgery to heal correctly.

Paying the emergency room bill drained Lily and her boyfriend’s savings and maxed out their credit cards. Although they were approved for CareCredit to help pay for the surgery, they were still short a few hundred dollars of the full amount. Lily applied for a RedRover Relief Urgent Care grant and shared how important Keggie is to their family:

“Keggie is not just an animal. He is family. He is the sweetest, most caring cat I have ever met. He and his sister Lottie are my emotional support animals and they have helped me overcome a lot, but they have also held me accountable to take care of them and myself.”

RedRover was able to help Lily and her boyfriend get Keggie the surgery he needed for both his dislocated hip and fractured leg to heal correctly. After four weeks of crate rest, this spunky little kitten was back to his happy and loving self.

Keggie is a grey tabby cat. On the left he is sleeping on a pink blanket with a blue cast on his leg. On the right he is lying comfortably in a cat hammock beside a bookcase.

We are grateful for second chances like these. Thank you for being the lifesaving difference for animals like Keggie and for bringing this family from crisis to care!