Making the decision to bring a pet into your home isn’t one to take lightly. Sadly, there are many who don’t understand the full responsibility of caring for them. These pets do become members of your family who depend on you as well as love and care for you. That’s why it is so devastating when animals are relinquished to shelters after forming those bonds.
Hera, a beautiful cat who was surrendered to a shelter in Illinois, knows the pain of losing her family. TikTok user @frangrzesik is an animal advocate and works for the NAWS, a no-kill humane society, and she decided to share the story of this sad shelter cat who has been declawed and abandoned. Warning: This video will have you in tears!
@frangrzesik Hera deserves her forever home. If you are interested in adopting Hera please submit an adoption application at nawsus.org. If you have any specific questions feel free to message me directly. Hera is currently on a urinary diet and is four years old. I’m hoping and praying that someone is selfless enough to adopt her, she deserves it. I’m sending you guys all of my love, let’s get this girl adopted🥹🫂🤍. #adopt #adoptdontshop #cat #catadoption #adoption #animalrescue #animalshelter #kitten #foster #adopt #volunteer #catsoftiktok
Her story just breaks our hearts! According to the captions, Hera was “given up because her family was moving.” She’s four years old. And as of now, “[s]he is scared, shut down, and depressed.” Who wouldn’t be after being left alone in an unfamiliar place?
Along with losing her home and family, Hera was “four-paw declawed” as a kitten. If you’re unfamiliar with the declawing process, PETA explains it as removing a cat’s claws, bones and cartilage. It’s not a simple process or a manicure, and it involves a number of painful amputations that can cause a variety of complications throughout a cat’s life.
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Unfortunately, Hera is living through this harmful reality. She has issues using the litter box. As the video notes, “All types of litter hurt her feet. This causes potential adopters to completely pass her up.” Hera will probably have issues for the rest of her life, and she will need a loving and patient pet parent to give her the care she ultimately needs.
Right now, the shelter staff hasn’t given up on Hera, and they want to see her find her forever home. That’s why @frangrzesik posted this video to get her story out there.
If you are near the NAWS campus in Mokena, IL and are interested in adding this precious kitten to your family, Hera is waiting for you. As @frangrzesik said, “We hope someone truly sees her and chooses to love her endlessly!” Go ahead and check out the NAWS website to learn more about the adoption process. Let’s find this kitty a good home!