How could someone do this? - Happy ending

[madman]

This story really makes me mad and sad at the same time... awklehfakl;wehfawl;khf. Reminded me of a very distinctive pa'li at the end of Avatar.

It has a happy ending though and helps me realize there is still good in this world of ours.

Burned cat gets new home in Utah with animal care organization - Local - MercedSun-Star.com

Burned cat gets new home in Utah with animal care organization
Mango, a calico cat, was doused with lighter fluid and set on fire in April.
By CAROL REITER
creiter@mercedsun-star.com

Mango, the cat doused with lighter fluid and set on fire April 20, enjoys some new fancy digs.

The little calico cat that was burned over 70 percent of her body is now living at Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah. The organization, which houses more than 1,700 animals on 3,700 acres, is known for the National Geographic Channel's show "Dogtown."

Mango, who was owned by Karen Kiil, was an indoor cat that escaped during a move last month. Someone poured lighter fluid on the cat and set her on fire. While still on fire, the little cat was caught by three little boys who used a hose to put the fire out. Kiil, whose daughter and grandson were moving in with her after becoming homeless, gave the cat up so she could be treated.

Merced Sun-Star - SUBMITTED PHOTO

Mango, a calico cat that was burned over 70 percent of her body in an act of animal cruelty, is recovering from her injuries in Utah with Best Friends Animal Society, an organization that specializes in caring for abused and abandoned animals.

Sharon Lohman, vice president of New Beginnings for Animals Merced, a local rescue group, had helped get Mango's owners help for the little cat when she was first burned. Lohman said she was contacted by the Utah organization last week about helping Mango.

"They called me and said they had some questions about her and they wanted to talk to the vet who was treating her," Lohman said.

Dr. Christine McFadden, a Merced veterinarian, had been caring for the cat since she was burned, Lohman said.

"After they talked to me, they said there was a chance they could take Mango," Lohman said. "Then they called back and said they would take her."

The organization specializes in abused and abandoned animals, according to John Polis, public relations manager for Best Friends.

"We are the largest organization in the United States for abused and abandoned animals," Polis said. The organization has veterinarians trained in critical care, and donations from members of the society help pay for veterinary care for all types of companion animals.

"We have more than 200,000 members across the nation," Polis said.

Lohman talked with the Merced Police Department, which is investigating the case as cruelty. Lohman said the department has told her it has persons of interest it's looking at in the case. Because the cat may be evidence if the case goes to court, Lohman had to make sure Mango could leave the county. The police department gave Lohman the go-ahead to take Mango, and Lohman packed the little cat up last week and headed for Utah.

"Dr. McFadden gave her heavy-duty painkillers just in case," Lohman said. "But the whole way she was purring and talking to us. We would talk to her and she would meow back at us."

Mango arrived at the sanctuary Friday and has already undergone surgery to help her start the healing process. Lohman said the vets said it could take months before Mango is ready to be adopted, but that when she is ready, a home won't be hard to find for the sweet cat.

"As soon as we got there, she just started purring for the vets and technicians," Lohman said.

Mango will be made a Guardian Angel by the sanctuary, Lohman said, which means people can donate money that will go specifically to Mango's care.

"This organization gets 500 requests a week to take animals in," Lohman said. "For them to take Mango was just amazing."

Lohman said the sanctuary sees critically ill animals every day, and she is sure that Mango will get the best care possible in Utah.

"I'm so grateful that she could go there," Lohman said. "They have so many volunteers that every dog there gets walked every day."

Mango has a rough road ahead of her, Polis said, and the big worry now is infection.

"She's on antibiotics, and she looks like a turtle because she's wrapped almost from head to toe," Polis said. "But she still greets everyone with a purr."

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