“Absolutely Irreplaceable” – Chino’s Happy Tail
August 4th, 2025
By Savannah Verdon, Development Manager –
Andrea’s mother found a vulnerable cat starving after the man who had been feeding her moved away. Her thin appearance hid that she was pregnant, and not long after they brought her home, she gave birth to a single kitten, Cappuccino a.k.a. Chino. Unfortunately, the mother passed away soon after from an infection that had gone too long untreated. When they rescued her, they took her to the veterinarian for IV hydration, special food for her kidneys, and medicine to encourage her appetite. Her kidneys were supposed to heal, but in the end, the treatment was not enough. They had only had her a short time, but loved her all the same. Andrea wanted better for Chino.
Chino had been a cranky little guy from birth, swatting at anyone who dared approach him and refusing to be pet on the head. He never used his claws – he just wanted to be left alone. For three years, Andrea had paid close attention to the way Chino ate and began to suspect there was something wrong with his teeth. But every time they visited the veterinarian, and she would ask, she was told his teeth and mouth were normal. Still, they prescribed antibiotics for frequent upper respiratory and eye infections, not seeing the potential connection to his dental health. They even prescribed appetite enhancers to encourage him to eat, but he was hungry and didn’t need the medicine. It just hurt too much to eat.
The poor boy had recently developed cracked and bleeding sores around his lips. Andrea coincidentally needed to take her two foster kittens to the veterinarian, and even though she had been told so many times that nothing was wrong with Chino, she took the opportunity to have him seen one more time. Finally, this veterinarian would listen.
He had been in pain his entire life. Because of the way his teeth had grown in, Chino’s mouth was severely infected, and his gums were in terrible condition. If they could clear up the infection, he would still need dental surgery or suffer future infections that could lead to kidney damage. Andrea didn’t want to see his life cut short the way his mother’s had been. As much as they had loved her in such a short amount of time, Chino had had years to become a part of the family.
“Chino means the world to me. He sleeps right next to me on his pillow or in a little basket I bought him. He is curious, loves treats, and is absolutely irreplaceable in our hearts. He is a special cat. He chose my daughter as his person. One day, she hurt herself and started crying. Chino came right over, sat in her lap, and started rubbing his face on her face. He was comforting her! He did that every time she cried.”
Living with a disability meant Andrea was on a fixed income, and it would be challenging, if not impossible, to save enough money for Chino’s dental surgery. She was relieved that he finally had a diagnosis. But it had been expensive to get, and all his past visits to the veterinarian had added up. Unsure who or where to turn to for help, Andrea was grateful when a friend referred her to the RedRover Relief Urgent Care grant program. She applied, knowing it may be her only chance to save Chino’s life.
Andrea and Chino had their On-Call Angel to thank when their application for an Urgent Care grant had been approved. After waiting three years in pain, he didn’t have to wait another day for his dental surgery. He may have lost a lot of teeth, but Andrea could see right away how much he had gained.
“Thank you so much for your support! Chino is doing so well! I am so happy I am in tears! From the moment he got home, he has been a brand new cat. Chino came flying out of that cage wanting pets and love and was just as happy as could be. Another change I’ve noticed is that he is not smacking every other kitty that comes near him anymore, even allowing them to sleep nearby. He also climbs the cat trees now, all the way to the top. I believe that when he realizes the pain isn’t coming back, he will continue to blossom. For now, the whole world is open to him!!! Thanks sooo much from Chino and me!!!!”
Like the On-Call Angels, you are one of the special members of our community whose compassion and generosity make a lifesaving difference for pets and families every day. Thank you for helping Chino enjoy a life free from pain and full of love!
