“A Beautiful Soul” – Jerry’s Happy Tail
May 2nd, 2025
By Savannah Verdon, Development Manager –
It’s hard to know what food is the best choice for your pet – much less which will meet their picky standards. Barbara had finally found food that Jerry seemed to like and willingly ate, so she made sure it was always in the pantry. Despite seeming like the right choice, it would soon cause a lot of problems for Jerry and Barbara.
Jerry’s frequent, unproductive visits to the litter box were telltale signs of a urinary blockage. After a visit to the vet, they learned Jerry would need an unblocking procedure, but Barbara couldn’t afford the post-procedure hospitalization that the veterinarian recommended. Instead, she was allowed to take him home with his urinary catheter still in place, so she could take care of him until it could be removed. The arrangement worked well, but not for Barbara’s boss.
Staying at home to care for Jerry after his first unblocking procedure, she missed work. Her boss felt that Jerry wasn’t family, and taking care of him was not a reason to miss work – he fired Barbara. And just like that, she was facing yet another setback. Her father had passed away recently, and without his income, they couldn’t keep their home. As an only child, Barbara was the sole caretaker for her mother, who was on dialysis. With her job and her mom’s disability benefits, they were able to find a smaller home to share with their pets. Now that she was fired for caring for her feline family member, things took a turn for the worse when Jerry blocked a second time just a few days after seemingly making a full recovery.
This time, Barbara wanted him to stay in the hospital for as long as he needed post-procedure. She didn’t know if bringing him home had contributed to the second blockage, but she wasn’t going to risk a third. Doing all she could to care for Jerry, just like any other pet mom would, she exhausted all of her resources trying to get him the veterinary care he so desperately needed. And thankfully, she applied for a RedRover Relief Urgent Care grant. Her love for Jerry and their human-animal bond is incredibly special to her:
“Jerry is the backbone of our family and the main cat of the household. He is always there. He is absolutely sweet and caring to our dogs and the kids. The conversations he and I have make the day brighter, especially when he meows back. He is always by the side of anyone who needs him. He is a beautiful soul.”
A good friend is there for you when you need them the most, and RedRover’s FurEver Friends didn’t disappoint when Barbara asked for help. In between purrs and meows with Jerry, she got the great news that her application for an Urgent Care grant was approved and Jerry would soon be on the mend Not only would he have the unblocking procedure, but he would be able to stay in the hospital afterwards until it was time to go home – and get familiar with his new prescription food.
The recurring support of our FurEver Friends givespet families like Barbara and Jerry’s something safe and secure to lean on when life feels uncertain. Thank you for helping countless pets get back to the beautiful and healthy lives they share with the families who love them.
