Cat has been in the care of ARL since August due to medical concerns

The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is a resource for animals in need, and sometimes those needs can be quite extensive.

For Regan Macneil, a 2-year-old female cat, her journey with ARL began in August when she was surrendered to ARL’s Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Center due to cost of care.

Medical Concerns

Upon arrival at ARL, the organization’s shelter medicine team began Regan Macneil’s stay with a thorough medical exam.

The young cat had a severe head tilt to the right and facial paralysis, a sign that there may be neurological deficits. Horner’s Syndrome, a common neurological disorder of the eye and facial muscles caused by a dysfunction of the sympathetic nervous system was suspected.

A heart murmur in the cat was also detected.

Additionally, a polyp was discovered in the cat’s ear and needed to be removed, a portion of which needed to be biopsied to help get a clearer picture of her overall health.

Fortunately, the biopsy revealed the polyp to be benign, and Regan was placed into foster care to begin her healing process.

Making Progress

The young cat was shy but friendly, and being in foster care helped tremendously in having Regan come out of her shell and show her true personality.

Over time her health and behavior improved dramatically, and in December, a veterinary recheck indicated that while the head tilt was still present is was not as pronounced, and that the facial paralysis had also resolved.

Ready to Go Home

With her health continuing to improve, Regan Macneil is now ready to find her perfect home for the holidays and beyond.

The collaborative effort between ARL’s shelter medicine, shelter staff, volunteers and foster care network was extensive, and demonstrates the commitment by the organization to treat every animal as an individual by providing that animal with all the resources they need to heal and then thrive once finding a forever home.

For more information about Regan Macneil.

How You Can Help Animals Like Regan Macneil

When you make your year-end gift today, you can help make sure animals like Regan Macneil get everything they deserve this holiday season.

Your generosity means you can be there for animals, every step of the journey home, as long as it takes.  From transports from overcrowded shelters or emergency rescues, to veterinary care, enrichment and  behavior training, and finally adoption – you make it all possible.

2,285+ animals in need have already found homes this year. Will you make a year-end gift to help one more?