Dorothy

Meet Dorothy.<br/><br/>Dorothy is a beautiful calico female kitten born April 7, 2026, and this little girl has already survived more than most cats will experience in a lifetime.<br/><br/>Dorothy was found underneath a lawnmower with a devastating injury to her mouth. Her lower lip had been completely ripped away from her jaw. She required surgery to reattach the lip, which had to be secured to her back molars while everything healed.<br/><br/>Her recovery was long. Dorothy spent that time in a loving foster home where she could heal safely, and after everything she has endured, we finally get to say the words we have been waiting for:<br/><br/>Dorothy is ready for adoption.<br/><br/>Her surgery was successful, her mouth has healed, and her previous injury no longer interferes with her ability to eat. She can live a normal life.<br/><br/>Dorothy is also a carrier of feline herpesvirus (FHV-1), something we want her future family to understand without being frightened by the word "herpes."<br/><br/>Feline herpesvirus is an extremely common virus among cats. Once infected, most cats carry the virus for life, but that does not mean they are constantly sick. The virus can remain dormant for long periods, and many FHV-positive cats live completely normal, healthy lives.<br/><br/>Stress is one of the most common triggers for a flare-up. Moving to a new home, changes in routine, illness or other stressful situations can sometimes cause symptoms to reappear. Symptoms are usually associated with the eyes and upper respiratory tract and can include watery eyes, eye irritation, sneezing or nasal discharge.<br/><br/>Because of this, Dorothy would do best in a stable home where her family understands that she may occasionally need a little extra care during stressful periods. Strong scents, smoke, aerosols and other environmental irritants may also aggravate sensitive eyes or airways, so keeping her environment as clean and low-irritant as possible is helpful.<br/><br/>Feline herpesvirus is a cat-specific virus. People and dogs cannot catch it. It can be transmitted between cats, particularly when an infected cat is actively shedding the virus, so families with other cats should discuss vaccination and appropriate introductions with their veterinarian.<br/><br/>None of this changes who Dorothy is or what kind of life she can have.<br/><br/>She was a tiny kitten lying injured beneath a lawnmower with her lip torn away from her jaw. She endured surgery, weeks of healing and an incredibly difficult beginning to life.<br/><br/>And she made it.<br/><br/>Her mouth is healed. Her surgery was a success. She can eat normally. She is safe.<br/><br/>Now Dorothy is finally ready for the part of her story we have been waiting to write -- finding her family.

Meet Dorothy.

Dorothy is a beautiful calico female kitten born April 7, 2026, and this little girl has already survived more than most cats will experience in a lifetime.

Dorothy was found underneath a lawnmower with a devastating injury to her mouth. Her lower lip had been completely ripped away from her jaw. She required surgery to reattach the lip, which had to be secured to her back molars while everything healed.

Her recovery was long. Dorothy spent that time in a loving foster home where she could heal safely, and after everything she has endured, we finally get to say the words we have been waiting for:

Dorothy is ready for adoption.

Her surgery was successful, her mouth has healed, and her previous injury no longer interferes with her ability to eat. She can live a normal life.

Dorothy is also a carrier of feline herpesvirus (FHV-1), something we want her future family to understand without being frightened by the word "herpes."

Feline herpesvirus is an e

Meet Dorothy.

Dorothy is a beautiful calico female kitten born April 7, 2026, and this little girl has already survived more than most cats will experience in a lifetime.

Dorothy was found underneath a lawnmower with a devastating injury to her mouth. Her lower lip had been completely ripped away from her jaw. She required surgery to reattach the lip, which had to be secured to her back molars while everything healed.

Her recovery was long. Dorothy spent that time in a loving foster home where she could heal safely, and after everything she has endured, we finally get to say the words we have been waiting for:

Dorothy is ready for adoption.

Her surgery was successful, her mouth has healed, and her previous injury no longer interferes with her ability to eat. She can live a normal life.

Dorothy is also a carrier of feline herpesvirus (FHV-1), something we want her future family to understand without being frightened by the word "herpes."

Feline herpesvirus is an extremely common virus among cats. Once infected, most cats carry the virus for life, but that does not mean they are constantly sick. The virus can remain dormant for long periods, and many FHV-positive cats live completely normal, healthy lives.

Stress is one of the most common triggers for a flare-up. Moving to a new home, changes in routine, illness or other stressful situations can so