When little Farly arrived at Dane County Humane Society (DCHS), his future was uncertain.
He and his littermates had been found abandoned in a tub near a set of garbage cans. Alone, vulnerable, and in varying states of health, the kittens were brought to DCHS with no identification and no one to claim them. Initially, it seemed like Farly just needed a good meal and a warm bed to feel like himself again. However, as the days went by, our veterinary team noticed he wasn’t improving like his siblings. In fact, he was getting worse. He was underweight, lethargic, running persistent fevers, and struggling to thrive despite supportive care and antibiotics.
After careful monitoring, repeated examinations, and diagnostic testing, DCHS veterinarians suspected Farly was suffering from Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), a devastating disease that was almost always fatal. Just a few years ago, cats like Farly would have had few options for treatment.
But because DCHS has the resources, expertise, and compassionate people needed to provide advanced medical care, Farly was given a chance to try a new groundbreaking treatment.
YOU can help other cats like Farly.
With the help of supporters like you, DCHS is able to act immediately when animals like Farly need substantial care. Thanks to a generous matching gift from Linn Roth and Jean Martinelli, you can DOUBLE your impact for animals in need up to $10,000 when you give before September 30th.
Over the next three months, Farly received intensive medical care that required coordination across multiple teams. Veterinary staff developed and monitored his treatment plan, tracked his progress, adjusted care as needed, and performed follow-up
testing to ensure he was responding. At the same time, foster volunteers stepped up to provide daily hands-on care in a more comfortable environment.
Farly entered a foster home alongside another kitten named Mort. There, he received the stability, comfort, and individualized attention he needed as he fought the disease. His foster mom Karrie administered his medications each day: six weeks of daily injections followed by six weeks of oral medications. It was a demanding and expensive regimen, but one that offered hope where there once had been none.
At first, progress came slowly. Farly remained sleepy and gained weight gradually. Karrie spent hours sitting quietly with him, often letting him nap on her lap while his body worked to heal. Through every injection, exam, and medication dose, Farly remained sweet and affectionate.
As the weeks passed, small victories began to add up. His fever subsided. His appetite returned. He found the energy to play with Mort. Before long, the kitten who had once struggled to lift his head was now chasing toys, exploring his surroundings, and seeking out attention from everyone around him.
His foster family also watched his personality emerge. After Mort returned to DCHS to find a home of his own, Farly formed a friendship with Karrie’s resident cat, Champ. Despite being much smaller, Farly enthusiastically chased Champ through the house and joined in every game. The timid, fragile kitten who had entered foster care was becoming a confident, playful companion.
Throughout his recovery, Farly benefited from more than medical treatment alone. He had a team of people invested in his success—veterinarians, veterinary assistants, foster volunteers, and shelter staff all working together to ensure he had everything he needed to heal. Finally, after 12 weeks of treatment, the news everyone had been hoping for arrived: Farly’s bloodwork showed no signs of FIP. He was officially cured!
Days later, he returned to DCHS and was made available for adoption. Within 48 hours, he found his new family.
Today, Farly—now named Cream—is thriving. His adopters report that he is settling in beautifully with his new feline sibling, Beans, and is quickly becoming the lap cat everyone knew he would be.
Farly’s story is a powerful reminder of what is possible when animals have access to the care they need. From advanced diagnostics and life-saving medication to loving foster homes, follow-up testing, and daily support, every part of his recovery required resources.
Because generous donors invest in DCHS, animals like Farly receive a second chance even when the odds seem overwhelming. A kitten abandoned near a dumpster, facing a disease once considered a death sentence, is now healthy, loved, and living the life every cat deserves.
Thank you for making stories like Farly’s possible.
