Rye

Meet Rye — aka The Shoelace Kitty<br/>Intake: October 15, 2025 | DOB: ~ July 15, 2024<br/>Rye’s name signifies strength and resilience, and no cat has ever earned those words more.<br/><br/>When Rye arrived, he announced himself with hearty meows—and an unforgettable stench that immediately told us something was very wrong. This skinny young boy was anemic, parasite-ridden, and had a tightly knotted shoelace embedded around his neck, dangling grotesquely at his side. The shoelace had cut all the way through the skin and into the underlying tissues, creating a deep, circumferential wound that was infected and incredibly painful.<br/>Once sedated, the shoelace was carefully cut away. Despite the severity of the injury, Rye’s body had already begun the hard work of healing. Beneath the grime and infection was healthy, viable granulation tissue—a testament to his will to survive. The wound was thoroughly cleaned, treated, and bandaged, and Rye began aggressive medical care including antibiotics, pain control, and parasite treatment.<br/><br/>Rye also arrived with additional challenges. He is cryptorchid (one retained testicle), and due to his fragile condition at intake, only a unilateral neuter could safely be performed initially.<br/><br/>Within just one week of treatment, Rye’s progress was nothing short of remarkable. His wound improved so dramatically that it could be surgically closed with multiple sutures—earning him an affectionate comparison to Frankenstein’s monster during recovery. He later underwent surgery to complete his neuter and officially claim the title of fully neutered. By his final recheck on November 17, Rye had healed beautifully—inside and out.<br/><br/>Today, Rye is no longer defined by what happened to him. He is a young cat who survived the unthinkable and came out the other side stronger, healthier, and very much ready to live the life he always deserved.<br/><br/>Rye’s story is one of grit, endurance, and quiet bravery—and we can’t wait for him to write his next chapter in a safe, loving home.<br/><br/>Personality & Home Life:<br/>Rye is one active boy! He runs and plays nicely with everyone and would do very well with kids. He loves attention, anything he can crawl into, and all toys. A home with a double-door system is an absolute must—this guy takes his job as the shelter’s ice cream shopkeeper VERY seriously.

Meet Rye — aka The Shoelace Kitty
Intake: October 15, 2025 | DOB: ~ July 15, 2024
Rye’s name signifies strength and resilience, and no cat has ever earned those words more.

When Rye arrived, he announced himself with hearty meows—and an unforgettable stench that immediately told us something was very wrong. This skinny young boy was anemic, parasite-ridden, and had a tightly knotted shoelace embedded around his neck, dangling grotesquely at his side. The shoelace had cut all the way through the skin and into the underlying tissues, creating a deep, circumferential wound that was infected and incredibly painful.
Once sedated, the shoelace was carefully cut away. Despite the severity of the injury, Rye’s body had already begun the hard work of healing. Beneath the grime and infection was healthy, viable granulation tissue—a testament to his will to survive. The wound was thoroughly cleaned, treated, and bandaged, and Rye began aggressive medical care including antibiotics, pain control, and parasite treatm

Meet Rye — aka The Shoelace Kitty
Intake: October 15, 2025 | DOB: ~ July 15, 2024
Rye’s name signifies strength and resilience, and no cat has ever earned those words more.

When Rye arrived, he announced himself with hearty meows—and an unforgettable stench that immediately told us something was very wrong. This skinny young boy was anemic, parasite-ridden, and had a tightly knotted shoelace embedded around his neck, dangling grotesquely at his side. The shoelace had cut all the way through the skin and into the underlying tissues, creating a deep, circumferential wound that was infected and incredibly painful.
Once sedated, the shoelace was carefully cut away. Despite the severity of the injury, Rye’s body had already begun the hard work of healing. Beneath the grime and infection was healthy, viable granulation tissue—a testament to his will to survive. The wound was thoroughly cleaned, treated, and bandaged, and Rye began aggressive medical care including antibiotics, pain control, and parasite treatment.

Rye also arrived with additional challenges. He is cryptorchid (one retained testicle), and due to his fragile condition at intake, only a unilateral neuter could safely be performed initially.

Within just one week of treatment, Rye’s progress was nothing short of remarkable. His wound improved so dramatically that it could be surgically closed with multiple sutures—earning