On a hot Sunday afternoon in August,  a severely injured kitten was found running up the driveway of a concerned citizen.  This little kitten found on Cumberland Street in Westfield, was bleeding from her mouth and scared.  

The gentleman scooped her up and called S.A.R.A. Inc., right away.  We called her Shea and immediately took her to our Vet for a check up.  At the time, the vet decided that she had a tooth poking her bottom lip and removed it right away.  She was given antibiotics and medicine for swelling.

After about 2 weeks, it was noticed that Shea was not well.  Her jaw did not look any better.  We realized then, her jaw was not aligned.  So again to the vet to discuss her options.

Sadly the vet did not give us much hope for a good outcome.  We decided one more opinion could not hurt.  By this time she was having more difficulty eating because she could not open her mouth fully.

Again, the vet gave us a grim outlook.  He told us with surgery it was a 50/50 and if we did nothing she would surely not make it. He told us her mouth was not wide enough to intibate her for any surgery and he feared she could never be spayed.  We knew we had to contact a specialist.  Off to Tinton Falls we ran.

All the while, precious Shea, a little brown tabby was still loving, sweet and very adorable.  She was so peaceful and calm through the entire ordeal.

At the Specialist they informed us that she absolutely suffered a trauma.  They felt she had been purposely hurt.  (Did I mention one of her claws was ripped out too.   They also told us the surgery could happen and they would intibate her via her trachea.  Up front we were again told this was 50/50 shot and if left untreated her mouth would close for good eventually.

S.A.R.A. Inc board members discussed it and the decision was to go ahead with the quoted $3,500 surgery (a hard hit for a non profit with so many animals needing great homes).  At that time we decided to run a Chip In Fund in her honor.  This Chip In has helped us bring in 50% of our goal.  Her Chip In link is:  http://sararescue.chipin.com/shea-kitten-with-broken-jaw if you want to contribute.

Prior to her surgery, this foster mom was a nervous wreck.  Such a tiny kitten to have such huge surgery.  She was only 16 weeks at the time. 

The morning of the surgery, the surgeon told me he was going to proceed with the left side (as per the CT Scan).  But still in his heart he felt it was the right.

He started and fixed the left, her jaw did not move.  He then went in on the right side and once finished her jaw moved!  (YAY)

Shea was also spayed at the same time.  She has 4 sets of stitches to be removed.  (One in her trachea as well).

Shea stayed in the hospital for 5 days and I finally brought her home.  She was eating like a piggy.  (Doc's thought they'd have to give her a feeding tube.  She exceeded their expectations so there was no need)  She can have mushed wet food with water for 4 weeks.  No dry.  She is now out playing with the others and even trying to bite me during play.  She is vocal too.  All these things she could not do prior.  Prior to surgery her jaw was a bit sideways and we feared her teeth would grow poorly.  So far her jaw is straight and it looks like her teeth will be just fine!  Her stitches come out Wednesday the 26th.  

We are so excited to have this little girl back to mainly normal.  Shea may have a slight deformity but nothing life threatening.  She will be the survivor she's always tried to be.  Beating this horrific ordeal of abuse and getting better in order to find a PURfect home when the time comes.

If you or anyone you know of witnesses abuse - please call the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - Contact at 732-382-6200.  DO NOT WAIT!

If you have any questions about Shea or Summit Animal Rescue Assn., please do not hesitate to call us at 908-578-4354 or 908-464-1203.  You can also see us on  http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/sararescue.html.  For email - sararescue@comcast.net