It was a bitterly cold night in February last year. A Good Samaritan spotted a kitty who was clearly in distress and brought her to safety at the Cape Breton Shelter. He knew that the SPCA would do everything possible to save her.
The poor kitty was in bad shape when she arrived at the shelter. Five years old, she had severe frostbite, particularly around her back legs and tail. She was put on a recovery plan that included soaking her feet daily. Unfortunately, a lot of skin was falling off from the frostbite and the tip of her tail was dead. Based on this, the veterinary team decided to amputate the tip of her tail and several toes on her back legs.
An adorable fluffball with a heart full of love, shelter staff named her Betty Bug. Betty was in recovery for two months to give her wounds time to heal. Once the team gave the green light for Betty to be adopted, she was ready to look for her purr-fect family. Everyone hoped that this sweet girl would find a special family. And she definitely did!
Blake had been checking the SPCA website regularly, trying to decide which cat would be a good fit for the home he shared with his grandparents. He decided to stop by the shelter to meet the cats. Blake recalled “I greeted each cat to see how they responded. Betty Bug was the friendliest and she clearly loved the attention. I decided then and there that I would be taking her home. When staff informed me of what Betty had been through and how long she had been at the shelter, my heart went out to her and I knew for sure that I made the right decision.” 
Shelter staff provided Blake with relevant information about Betty’s care. They shared that because of her injuries, she might be off-balance in the future and to look for signs that she may need further medical attention. Staff also said that Betty should be the only pet in the home as she would have difficulty protecting herself. Blake knew that he and Betty were a good match.
It didn’t take long for Betty Bug to adjust to her forever home. Blake shared “She hid a bit for the first couple of days, coming out from time to time to lie beside me. Soon she was completely at ease, and she designated herself the queen of the house! My grandparents fell in love with Betty at first sight and my little sister Harper calls Betty the best hide-and-seek player ever!”
Sleeping or catching a mid-day siesta are high on Betty’s list of favourite things. She also enjoys watching TV with Blake. “She isn’t a huge fan of her ever-growing toy collection, but she will go crazy for a piece of paper towel laid on the floor,” chuckled Blake.
Healthwise, Betty has been doing well. Blake reported “She has regained much of her fur and periodically, can put a bit more weight on her right rear paw. Because her mobility is limited, she’s gained a bit of weight and is now on a special diet. I have been considering getting a rear cat wheelchair for her back legs to use during play time, hoping that may encourage her to move more.”
May 1st was the one-year anniversary of Betty’s ‘Gotcha Day.’ Along with extra treats, Blake bought a cake to celebrate the occasion and to provide an excuse for a ‘photo opp’ of their sweet girl.
“Betty has brought so much love and joy into our lives and she repays our love many times over,” said Blake. “She is a wonderful companion.”
Blake shared his thoughts on the Nova Scotia SPCA’s role in Betty Bug’s journey from frozen to forever. “There is no doubt that the SPCA was instrumental in saving Betty’s life. We are so grateful for their dedication and efforts. Adopting Betty from the SPCA was the best decision I ever made.”
