Cat/Kitten Age
3.5 years

Where I Live
Long Beach, CA

My Person
Clare Cusato

What my person says about me
As you can see, Dumpling is a handsome fellow. He is a 2020 CatPAWS rescue. Dumpling first came to CatPAWS in mid-April after a public service video of him at the shelter had been posted on helensanderscatpaws.com.

His tragic story of being found in the field, declawed, abandoned and left to wander aimlessly and without any means of defense was compelling in and of itself, but the fact that he also suffered seizures made his life that much more fragile and uncertain. The timely video prompted a volunteer and her family to inquire whether they could foster him through CatPAWS.

In typical fashion, CatPAWS sprang into action and shuttled him to safety. This depressed, overweight buff tabby was immediately whisked away from death row and into the safe harbor of the vet’s office where he experienced a third major seizure episode. Under the direction of a trusted vet, CatPAWS quickly initiated a stiff regimen of proper medication and weight-control management.

A short time later, potential adopters heard Dumpling’s story and wanted to adopt him. Sadly, they were unable to maintain his special healthcare routine and he was returned to CatPAWS within a few short weeks.

The original fosters willingly embraced him back into their home where he remains today. Dumpling is happy and settled into a predictable routine of eating, sleeping and pacing the halls as he looks forward to his next meal. He is so much a fixture in his foster home, that he is now a “foster to adopt,” which means that he likely will become a permanent member of their family. His foster family often refers to him as their “special boy.” He has a host of endearing quirks that make them laugh and brighten their days in quarantine.

Dumpling is a prime example of the important rescue work CatPAWS performs in the community. When you support CatPAWS, you are helping to save other cats like Dumpling that deserve to be guaranteed a full and cherished life.