Meet Sherbet:

Where do we begin....It was September of 2013 when Sherbet and 9 other felines were rescued from a hoarding situation. BSAC stepped in and took these cats. Sherbet appeared healthy and potentially adoptable at initial evaluation. As time went on in foster care, it became very evident that he had been un-socialized for a very long time and his fear of humans did not allow him to trust us. That was OK as he was placed in a large, indoor space with others from his "family" and was adjusting very well to the continued food, shelter and enrichment he was exposed to. Over months of care he allowed feeders to touch him and even enjoyed a good back pet but would not consent to additional affection, including being handled in any fashion. His limitations were evident and he has since lived in this environment with MANY roommates over his 9 years with us. He became a bit more social with a young male volunteer over his almost 10 year relationship with several volunteer through BSAC. In 2021 the place he had always called home was going to change and his greatest opportunity became evident. The young man who he kind of picked as his own, was ready, willing and able to take him to live with him in a quiet, safe apartment. Off Sherbet went to live in Virginia. Though the transition was not easy it was the right choice. Sherbet took several months to trust his new human roommate and over the last 8 months has become "almost" accepting of his human. Additionally, his human's significant other has welcomed him and honestly, Sherbet has chosen her as his new bestie. This is so rewarding for our organization. With this happiness comes a bit of sadness. Our friend of almost a decade has been burdened with significant health issues. In addition to a lifetime of regular care; vaccines, dental procedures and periodic bloodwork, Sherbet required regular care for chronic ear infections advanced medical workups. Recently, he was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. This disease requires regular medication and due to his learned fear of us humans he was not at all tolerant to the required treatments. As a result, he has been placed on a extremely expensive prescription diet that has the ability to control this disease. Though we are hopeful, his thyroid disease is not yet "in-control". He has also developed a few more concerns. A recent excessive drooling and associated odor issue, seems to be caused by a growth on his lower jaw. Initially it is being treated as an abscess, but could certainty be a much more serious condition. Keeping our fingers crossed. Bloodwork has also indicated he has a severe kidney infection which is also being treated with antibiotic therapy. Our handsome, now love-bug, is living every day like it's his last. He is the epitome of an appreciative feline who shows very little sign of his current health struggles to his beloved human caretakers.

The main point in his story and other long-term foster care cats is that we, the directors, volunteers, especially the fosters, of BSAC believe in forever care and love for all animals and do our very best to provide this. This does not come without stress, sadness, many hours of coordinating efforts and of course lots of financial and humanity decisions. We like to exemplify what it means to own, love and unconditionally care for a pet. Without every person, and of course our feline friends, we could not do these wonderful things. We are happy to share any receipts regarding the financial care we give our rescued and long-term kitties but want to stress that the expenses for just Sherbet recently, have totaled over $1500 and will be increasing an additional $600 in the short-term and hopefully (meaning his prognosis is not terminal) an additional $1500 for additional procedures over the next few months and at minimum $1000 per year to maintain his hyperthyroidism, chronic ear infections and possibly sub-q fluids for maintaining kidney health. We only HOPE for the long-term expenses as that would be the best-case scenario for Sherbet as he continues his pain-free health and wellness plan in his senior years!

WE need YOU and YOUR friends and family to feel a part of what we do. What we do is real, we can be held accountable and we do all of this with as much in-sight as we can regarding the care, quality of life while using our educated and experienced resources. We treasure what we do and want everyone to see this. Please consider volunteering to foster a short-term adoptable or long-term cat for us. We can promise you, though not always easy, it is ALWAYS rewarding and appreciated!

Thanks for reading about Sherbet. Please read more about each of our long-term foster cats and our commitment to our rescues just like we encourage all pet owners to do for their four-legged (or possibly three-legged) friends.

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