Do you know me?  My name is "Bumper"...

 - this story was written and submitted by a very generous Blacksburg resident, saddened by Bumper's loss and homelessness...

Here is  little story about "Bumper". We named the black kitty Bumper because she gently hit the walls because of her blindness. On Monday, August 25th, I was driving on Givens Lane after an open house at my 9 year old's school. I saw a black cat circling in the street. It seemed very disoriented. I stopped traffic so that it would not get hit. A car stopped and 2 girls got out and picked it up. I left at this point thinking they have gotten the cat.

I got home and asked my 17 year old son to go back with me just to make sure they took the cat.  Bumper was now in a chicken wire fence with half of her body in and the other half out. We went in the yard and got her through. We saw she was pregnant and brought her home. She was nervous but very sweet. I put her down in my garage to watch her walk and see if she was injured. I realized the poor cat was blind. I called Companion Animal Hospital who we use for our own cats. Dr. Kirby came into the clinic to examine her. She confirmed that the cat was pregnant and was hit in the face, probably a car. Bumper had a blood spot on her tongue and her gums were separated from her teeth. The vet also confirmed that she was blind. The cat had a fever of 105 degrees which is very high for a cat and she was severely dehydrated. We tested Bumper for diseases, "Feline Aids" and Feline Leukemia, which she tested negative. Dr. Kirby gave her an IV with fluids and tucked her away in a cage to rest.

Bumper looked so peaceful at this point. Almost relieved to finally just lay down. We think Bumper was hit a couple of days earlier and been just wandering around alone and injured since then. After we left Dr. Kirby did a sonogram to make sure the uterus had not separated. The kittens were alive at this point. The next morning Bumper delivered her kittens but unfortunately they were all dead. She had a very rough day; she was extremely nervous and she nearly hanged herself. Thankfully, the veterinarian sedated her so that she could rest.

The next morning Bumper died.

I cannot begin to tell people that a responsible pet owner should neuter or spay their pet! It is also very important to know where your animal is. It was extremely hot and a cat should not be left outside for a long period of time ever without knowing where it is. I thank VA PAWS for being so quick to call me back and offer support and willing to take on this cat. Lila, you are an angel and I am very glad to have had the opportunity to speak with you. I think your organization is wonderful and want to be a part of it and look forward to working with you in the future.

I am sorry that Bumper could not have been saved. She seemed to be a very sweet cat. I hope this story will help another animal be safe and to teach people about the importance of neutering or spaying a cat and always knowing where your animal is. 

Bumper, I hope you are at peace in Kitty heaven with your kittens. God Bless you.

- Leslie Paradiso
  Blacksburg, VA