Thomas (FKA Tommy) Adopted by Don

April 24, 2011--I never made a blog page for Tommy, instead linking to the Facebook page where his need for a new home was advertised by a supervisor at the Maryland SPCA. Because I don't want to lose that history on Tommy, I am copying the page and its relevant comments here. All future updates on Tommy will be made on the blog page for Don's Cats.

Hi everyone, This handsome guy is Tommy, an 8-year-old domestic short hair cat who weighs 12 lbs. Tommy is extremely friendly and affectionate, but he was recently diagnosed with diabetes and cannot be placed in the adoption program. Tommy originally came to the Maryland SPCA as an owner surrender because the owner could not care for him any longer. Tommy does well with other cats and with children, but he has never been around dogs before.

Tommy’s intake exam showed everything normal except dry flaky skin, overweight, and he is missing all of his teeth except for right bottom canine and incisors (he is on a wet food only diet). They also found that he needed to be treated for an upper respiratory infection, and he is taking medicine for that. Even though he isn’t feeling well, Tommy is a super-sweet cat who loves to snuggle.

If you are able to rescue Tommy, please contact me, Barbara (bhealy@mdspca.org) or Vince (Vincent@mdspca.org) as soon as possible. Tommy is already up-to-date on shots, neutered, and has tested negative for FIV and FELV. Please note, we can only release Tommy to a 501(c)(3) agency. Thanks so much for your help!
Amanda Amanda Schulz
Front Office Supervisor
Maryland SPCA
3300 Falls Road
Baltimore, MD 21211
Phone: 410-235-8826 x107
Fax: 410-235-1053
Email: Amanda@mdspca.org

Denise Has this been posted to Diabetic Cats in Need's page? I'm going to check and post if not. November 18, 2010 at 6:57pm

Venita I manage Diabetic Cats in Need (http://fdmb-cin.blogspot.com/), a project of a 501c3. We don't have a shelter or a foster network, but work to match diabetic cats with homes. We can help you treat Tommy, and we can get him exposure for a home. Diabetic cats are adoptable, and I am sorry to see your policy of not putting Tommy in your adoption program. Some people focus on adopting special needs cats. When is he scheduled for euthanasia/likely to be euthanized? Short fuses are hard to work with, but we can try. November 19, 2010 at 7:03am

Helene @Venita--I don't think there's anything on this post that states that Tommy would be euthanized--he just needs a rescue fast because he needs the attention and TLC that a rescue can bring him. If anyone can help, please email Amanda at Amanda@mdspca.org November 19, 2010 at 8:51am

Venita ‎@Helene. My experience tells me that when a shelter does not put a diabetic cat on the adoption list, they put it on the euthanasia list. That is a generalization; I am not certain whether I have worked with this SPCA before. But the SPCA's policy from its FAQ: "The Maryland SPCA does not euthanize any healthy animals. Some animals, sadly, are unable to be safely adopted— those with serious behavior or medical problems." I am not judging; I simply want to know the timeline. See More November 19, 2010 at 9:25am

Helene @Venita, probably the best thing is to email Amanda--if you find out anything would you please post it here. Thanks again! November 19, 2010 at 9:57am

Denise Venita, I hope this boy is not scheduled to be PTS. There's no excuse IMO for not offering animals for adoption who have treatable conditions. I'm with Amanda, diabetic cats are not that hard to treat. I've done it and so have many others!! November 20, 2010 at 8:39pm

Maryland Spca The Maryland SPCA agrees that animals with ongoing medical conditions make wonderful pets. However, it can take time for the right person to come along to adopt a pet with special needs. It is in the best interest of the animal to get them out of the shelter as quickly as possible, because pets with medical conditions often have compromised immune systems. We hope that getting Tommy into rescue and out of the shelter will give him a chance to recover from his recurring URI and to get adopted. November 21, 2010 at 10:48am

Denise If he has a URI, then he is definitely better in a rescue than a shelter. Diabetics don't have a compromised immune system, btw. As long as he is not going to be PTS because of his diabetes, that's a good thing! November 21, 2010 at 11:24am

Maryland Spca Hi everyone, we have an update on Tommy the cat: he is available for adoption through the Maryland SPCA. Please call or email us for more information if you are interested in adopting this friendly, affectionate kitty! November 28, 2010 at 1:49pm

Venita Excellent that Tommy is up for adoption. If there is anything Diabetic Cats in Need can do to mentor a potential adopter, please let me know at ennis93 @att.net (remove space). There is some more info about Tommy's health condition and diabetes treatment in a post I put on the Feline Diabetes Message Board last week. http://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=30404#p315752 November 28, 2010 at 3:26pm

Missy Venita, since I'm in the Baltimore area I'll be glad to mentor the adopter. Just let me know if you need me. I wonder how long her has to find a forever or foster home. November 28, 2010 at 8:32pm

Venita Tommy has the promise of a home in Virginia with an experience feline diabetic caregiver. Diabetic Cats in Need has messages into the SPCA to start the ball rolling on breaking Tommy out!!! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Diabetic-Cats-in-Need/147717841924914 December 6, 2010 at 9:55am

Venita PS, we are looking for transport help from Baltimore to the western side of Virginia. Date is uncertain, so we are just checking availability at this point.

Venita Tommy's rescue, adoption, and transport is all arranged. He will be going home next Saturday, December 18. December 11, 2010 at 1:43pm December 6, 2010 at 9:56am

Venita Toby (from the Baltimore HS) and Tommy are now with their new Dad Don and on their way home. It was an awesome experience picking these two diabetic orange tabbies up from their shelters and being part of the transport to get them home. Thank you to Stefani and Larry, the other drivers, and to Don, who has now rescued four shelter diabetics. (The ones he had before today, Gus and Camille, already are off the juice...in remission.) When it is finished, the MD SPCA facility will be truly marvelous, and I am more than pleased with it putting a diabetic cat into its adoption program. Tommy is an outstanding cat, and I would really like to see other diabetics that might make their way to the MD SPCA receive as much love and care as Tommy did. And find a furever home, as he has. December 18, 2010 at 12:42pm