Cat with cancer was returned to shelter three times — rescue saves her life and gives her a second chance

A cat battling cancer was repeatedly surrendered to the shelter — but just when all hope seemed lost, a rescue gave her a second chance that led to a perfect happy ending…

In April, Furry Nation Salvation, a non-profit animal rescue based in Port Orange, Florida, took in a cat from a shelter, now named “Promise.”

Promise was adopted as a kitten, but four years later her adopter returned her to the shelter because the cat had a cancerous tumor on her leg, Furry Nation Salvation wrote in a Facebook post.

Promise was subsequently adopted out twice, but returned both times. All the while the cancerous tumor on her leg grew larger.

When the rescue took her in, she was in bad shape: weak, lethargic and barely eating. They considered that euthanasia might be the most human course.

However, after being put on appetite stimulants, Promise bounced back. “Apparently, she wanted to make sure we knew she wasn’t giving up,” Furry Nation Salvation wrote. “So, guess what…we aren’t giving up either.”

They consulted vets who performed x-rays, thankfully confirming that the cancer had not spread elsewhere in her body. The decision was made to remove the leg and give her the best chance of survival.

@furrynationsalvation
The cone saga continues…as we approach 5 weeks, Promise is still stuck in cone life! Over the weekend, she had ZERO scabs remaining…so we took the cone off. She happily munched on dinner without bothering the incision site. So. I went to grab something and when I got back within a few minutes…the site was already red, bleeding and irritated 😞 We have just received Rutin, a supplement that is supposed to help with the itchiness. Hopefully that will help. But for now, we must make this up to her through Churus. MANY, MANY Churus. We are expecting the Torigen Cancer Vaccine to arrive this week. It’s a specially formulated vaccine based off the thumbprint of her actual tumor! While we are at the surgeon for that, we’ll also see if he has any other ideas on how we can get this cone off without her irritating the incision site! Thank you to everyone who has donated for her surgery and sent over well wishes for her. Promise was surrendered to the shelter back in April after her owner found out that Promise had cancer on her leg. Promise was adopted and returned 2 more times from the shelter. We rescued her in April, and she was very weak. Her tumor had grown in size. Luckily we were able to get her into a board certified surgeon and get her leg amputated right away! #fibrosarcoma #cancercat #catcancer #blackcat #housepanther #rescuedcat #rescuedismyfavoirtebreed #adopt #rescue #torigenvaccine #sheltercat #shelterpet #conelife #coneofshame #tripod #tripawds #catvideo #catreel #furrynationsalvation #fuckcancer
♬ original sound – Furry Nation Salvation

Surgeons successfully removed the rear leg and biopsy results showed that her margins were clean, meaning no cancer remained in the area. She also received a vaccine to help prevent the cancer from recurring.

All the while, Promise remained resilient. “She is a fighter. She is a cancer warrior,” the rescue wrote.

Weeks after her cancer treatments, there has been an inspiring update to the story: Promise has been adopted, by someone who can perfectly relate to her journey.

Donna, Promise’s new owner, is also a cancer survivor: “Donna is no stranger to cancer. She’s battled it, just like Promise,” Furry Nation Salvation wrote.

She also cares for other three-legged cats, so Promise will fit right in. “She is adjusting to her new environment and new three legged sisters,” the rescue wrote.

“We know Promise is in the best hands. She will be loved for the rest of her life. And, she will not be failed again.”