UPDATE ON SEPTEMBER 30: We have wonderful news about the cat formerly known as Cupid...he's been adopted!

After a couple weeks of twice-weekly bandage changes using the specialized wound dressing, Cupid's back had healed enough that he was ready for adoption. Fortunately, he didn't have to wait long for his new family. Ray adopted him in mid-August and renamed him Clyde.

"We are very happy to have Clyde in our home!" says Ray. "He is adjusting very well to his new home and appears to be getting along with our two dogs. He and our other cat aren't best friends yet, but they seem to tolerate each other, and we have seen improvement! Clyde has lots of love to give and is a cuddler!"

We hope you enjoy these photos of Clyde thriving in his new home as much as we do:

UPDATE ON AUGUST 5: Cupid is receiving twice-weekly bandage changes, and his back wound steadily continues to heal. He’s such a good boy and healing so well that he doesn’t even need sedation during his bandage changes anymore: our team can keep him distracted just with a tube treat! Additionally, we’re thrilled to share that our veterinarians estimate his wound is now about 1/3 the size it was when he first arrived.

Thank you for all of your support so far for Cupid. While the process has been slow overall, our vets are quite impressed with the speed of healing since switching to the new bandage material. While it does mean Cupid will be staying with us longer, he will continue to receive treats and loving attention from staff and volunteers. You can support Cupid's continuing journey to recovery and the incredible care our Animal Medical Services department provides to many animals just like him each day by using the donate button above or the form below.

UPDATE ON JULY 10: Because Cupid’s wound needs more time to heal, DCHS veterinarians decided to proceed on Wednesday morning with his neuter surgery and extracting his fractured canine tooth. Both procedures went well. While he was sedated, DCHS veterinarians also changed the dressing on the wound.

As you might have read, our veterinarians consulted with a surgical specialist on Monday who suggested we switch to a different type of wound dressing. On Wednesday, after two days of using the alternative dressing, DCHS veterinarians found Cupid’s wound had noticeably shrunk. They plan to continue using this new dressing and will change it every two days while monitoring how well the wound is healing. The specialist generously provided the first few days of the new wound dressing, but we now need to purchase more of it ourselves, as it is a specialized material we don't keep on hand. If you'd like to support Cupid's continuing journey to recovery, click on the link above (or below).

UPDATE ON JULY 8: DCHS veterinarians assessed Cupid’s wound on Friday, and while it continues to heal, it unfortunately hasn’t shrunk as much as they would like. Today, our veterinarians consulted with a specialty veterinary surgeon who examined Cupid and discussed the best path forward for him. Together, they decided surgery isn’t the best option yet. Cupid's wound is in a tough spot. Because of the size of the injury and tension from his normal cat movement, surgical procedures like a skin graft or flap are difficult. The specialist offered some alternative bandaging protocols our veterinarians can implement to attempt to accelerate shrinking the large wound.

Cupid continues to be his friendly self, demanding attention from anyone within earshot. He was even feeling well enough today to play with toys, enjoy a Churu, and climb into laps for cuddles, all while making biscuits and purring.

Thank you again to all of our donors for your generosity supporting Cupid’s care!

UPDATE ON JULY 3: Cupid's large wound is healing well, and we are getting closer to the time when surgery will be possible, although it's not closing as quickly as we'd hoped. DCHS's veterinarians plan to assess his progress on Friday morning, and if everything looks good, they will proceed with the surgery to close his large wound, perform his neuter, and extract his fractured tooth.

Cupid continues to spread love throughout the shelter and shower affection on his many adoring fans. He eagerly crawls into people's laps for cuddles, purring loudly and making happy biscuits when he gets pets and head scritches. He meows enthusiastically at all visitors and pouts when the treats stop coming.

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our donors for supporting Cupid’s care. Your generosity is helping him on his journey to recovery and will ensure he gets the loving home he deserves.

FIRST POSTED ON JUNE 28: Tuesday, a good Samaritan brought a large black and white cat to Dane County Humane Society (DCHS). He had been seen on and off again for weeks at their property, but during his latest appearance, he seemed in desperate need of help. He was covered in cuts and scratches and had a fractured tooth, but his most dire injury was a large, open wound on his back. Our admitting staff immediately called for one of our veterinarians, who quickly and gently carried the cat back to Animal Medical Services (AMS) where he could be sedated and thoroughly examined.

Despite the excruciating pain he must have felt, Cupid was extremely friendly, demanding head pets and meowing for attention.

Our veterinarians are confident he suffered the wound on his back a while ago. At over two inches wide and four inches long, the injury is too large to heal completely on its own. It’s deep, too, leaving vulnerable muscles exposed. DCHS’s highly skilled veterinary staff are equipped to provide treatment to ensure it heals and Cupid isn’t in pain while it does.

Cupid’s treatment requires daily sedated bandage changes and flushes to keep his wound clean while it heals. He is also receiving pain medications to keep him comfortable and antibiotics as he is at great risk of infection.

On Thursday, Cupid was doing well enough that our veterinarians could surgically remove the edges of the wound to ensure only healthy tissue remains and he can heal properly. After they cleared all the diseased and dead tissue, they saw his wound was vaguely heart-shaped. That, along with his loving personality, inspired Cupid’s name.

DCHS’s veterinarians plan to surgically close the injury eventually, but they first want to shrink it as much as possible as he currently doesn’t have enough skin to cover the gaping wound. It can take a week or more for his injury to heal, and Cupid will receive pain medications, daily wound care, and sedated bandage changes while he is on his path to recovery.

When our veterinarians determine his back is ready for surgery, they will also extract his fractured tooth and perform his neuter surgery while he is under anesthesia. After all of those procedures are completed, veterinary staff will monitor him for several days to ensure the wound closure is successful and he recovers well.

DCHS is an open admission shelter, and we are ready for any animal who comes through our doors, no matter what health issues they might have. This June, we have admitted many animals with varied and complex health issues, making these past several weeks extremely difficult for our team. Earlier this month, we received 50 cats from one home, all of them suffering from severe flea infestations. Just this week, little kitten Anita, found at the intersection of Verona Road and the beltline, arrived with a badly fractured leg. A tiny, day-old orphaned kitten arrived in urgent need of food and warmth; she receives round-the-clock care, including an incubator to keep her warm and tube-feeding from her foster parent, as she’s too weak to suckle.

Your gift helps us stand ready to give the best care possible to our community’s pets, especially ones like Cupid, Anita, our tiny orphan, and the large group of cats who need extensive and ongoing treatment.

The cost of care will add up…and YOU can help. We’re turning to our incredible community to raise $8,000 to cover the veterinary resources Cupid, Anita, the newborn kitten, and more need. And thanks to a generous $4,000 matching gift from Linn Roth & Jean Martinelli, you can DOUBLE your impact for these injured and orphaned kitties!

Will you help them heal?

Cupid and these kittens will be in care with us for a while as our veterinarians manage their healing. We kindly request you watch our website for updates to their status, and not contact our Adoption Center at this time. Thank you for your patience and support!

Any additional funds raised will be used to continue the work our Animal Medical Services does every day to provide high quality medical care to thousands of companion animals each year.