ASPCA Cat of the Year
To most, Scooter the cat seemed yet another unfortunate case of an injured kitten who was abandoned, but thanks to a few caring individuals, he now helps others overcome their own difficulties and disabilities.
Scooter was found by a dog as he lay helpless on the street with no use of his back legs, and he was rushed to Harts Run Veterinary Hospital in Fox Chapel, Pa.
While many veterinarians may have given up on Scooter, Dr. Betsy Kennon decided to do all she could to save his life.
Visitors to the hospital instantly fell in love with the fluffy black and white kitten, collectively donating funds to purchase him a custom-made wheeled mobility device.
Scooter now visits a nursing home and rehabilitation hospital every week and serves as a constant inspiration to the elderly and to patients who lack mobility due to injuries and strokes. During one of Scooter’s first hospital visits, a stroke victim who doctors said would never open her eyes or speak watched as the cat snuggled up close to her. It was then that Scooter had worked his first miracle: the patient opened her eyes and began chatting away like they were old friends.
“We put Scooter up onto her bed,” Dr. Kennon says, “and he snuggled right up to her. And don’t you know, she pet him, she opened her eyes, she was talking to him. And I thought that’s really cool. And when I turned around and looked, the recreational therapist and nurse were both in tears.”
Scooter is headed to New York for the Novmber, 12 awards luncheon, where he will be honored as cat of the year.
A group of outstanding animals and people—including a rescue dog with more than 5.5 million views on YouTube and a 10-year-old horse advocate who has appeared before Congress—will be honored at this year’s ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) Humane Awards Luncheon in New York City. The ceremony recognizes special animals as well as individuals who have made a significant impact on the lives of animals during the past year.
“The ASPCA continues to be astounded by the bravery and compassion of this year’s Humane Awards winners,” said ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres. “Each honoree exemplifies our mission of preventing cruelty to animals in their own unique ways, and we are humbled by their achievements and dedication to the animals who count on us to be their voice.”
The ASPCA’s Annual Humane Awards Luncheon—sponsored by the Hartville Group, Inc., one of America’s oldest pet health insurers and provider of ASPCA Pet Health Insurance—will be held on Thursday, November 8, from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at the Pierre Hotel in New York City.
Following a nationwide call to the public for nominations in February, an ASPCA-appointed committee reviewed hundreds of entries and selected winners in six categories.
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