Second Chance: Gonzo’s Story + Updates!

28 Aug Second Chance: Gonzo’s Story + Updates!

For 30 years, the Animal Resource Center and Shops of Second Chance Humane Society have been serving Ouray, San Miguel, and Montrose Counties. Our adoption hours are from Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. View shelter pets and services online at www.secondchancehumane.org. Connecting Pets, People, and Community While Saving Lives.

View shelter pets and services online: www.adoptmountainpets.org.

Donate here or mail to: PO Box 2096, Ridgway, CO, 81432. 

Go here for more options from Second Chance.

Gonzo came to Second Chance on September 1, 2022. He was surrendered by a family member of his deceased owner and had not been well cared for since his person died.

Gonzo weighed just a little over five pounds, was severely matted, had terrible teeth, and was emotionally shut down. He hid under a blanket in the corner and showed no interest in much of anything. Our veterinary team examined him and found that he was also suffering from renal failure, and they estimated that he was about 12 years old. Our team removed a few teeth, shaved his mats, gave him vaccines and medicines, and stabilized him.

Gonzo, courtesy Second Chance.

Two of our foster volunteers stepped in to care for Gonzo in their homes at different times that first fall.

“Our fosters made a huge difference when Gonzo came to us in such sad shape. Jill and Mickey gave him what he needed to start to heal,” says Tara Cleveland, Shelter Manager.

In a home setting, Gonzo came around, eating a LOT, and starting to feel better. He returned to the shelter in early 2023, weighing almost eight pounds and showing his loving personality. We knew Gonzo would not be the first choice for adopters. He was never much to look at, appeared grumpy (but was not), and his age and medical issues would deter all but the most experienced cat families.

In the spring, it became clear Gonzo was in kidney failure. He entered our hospice program, where we do all we can to improve the quality of life for pet at the end of his days. Executive Director, Nicholas Gilman shares: “Hospice care is important, but not common in animal welfare. We are fortunate to be able to provide loving, effective end-of-life care for pets like Gonzo.”

Gonzo became a “house cat,” roaming the cat castle freely. He often sat atop the kennels and observed his domain like a vulture on a branch.

Once, he leaned too far, fell off the kennels, and had to see the vet to be checked out. We fed Gonzo special kidney-care food, periodically shaved his mat-prone fur, gave him extra fluids, and enjoyed his antics.

We had to be careful about other house cats. Gonzo tended to be bullied by others. He had a few cat friends and wasn’t picky about his people friends, but his true love was Cinda. She wore a special sweatshirt with a large front pocket to carry the old guy around as she worked in the cat castle.

Gonzo napped in his cat bed, either on the kitchen table or the heater vent. When staff arrived in the morning, Gonzo would be the first to greet them asking for his wet food and some attention. He liked patrolling the cat house, making sure the other cats knew he was king. He was also surprisingly playful and especially LOVED the laser pointer toy.

In late July, Cinda took him home to join her family of misfit cats. He only lived a short while longer but was loved until the very end.

Our original estimate that Gonzo had only a few months to live was way off. Despite his failing health, he kept going. Gonzo passed a year and a half after entering hospice care. Our vet, Dr. Mike said, “It was all the love and special care he received that kept him happy and comfortable for so long.”

There are lessons to be learned from Gonzo’s story. Most importantly, his person neglected to designate a care plan for his beloved pet. Remembering animal welfare organizations in estate planning is a great way to leave a legacy as an animal-loving person.

Ashley Bradley, our Board President says, “Caring for pets like Gonzo is expensive. Second Chance is committed to providing care for our future Gonzos.”

Old, sick, neglected, abused, long-term, and senior cats and dogs incur many expenses. Please donate to our fundraiser to help with these cases, in memory of our dear Gonzo. We miss that grumpy-faced guy.

AND… To continue the Second Chance Highlights section, we want to share the following:

We are so excited to have Maureen Pelisson join our Board of Directors!

Maureen is a life-long animal advocate. Her love of animal rescue began when she first volunteered at an event in her hometown of Rome, NY, when she was 11.

Maureen and her husband Pat moved to Telluride in 2000 with their rescue cat Elvis. Over the years, Maureen and Pat rescued three more dogs including their current black labrador, Lily.

She is the Associate Publisher at the Telluride Daily Planet where she’s worked for the past 16 years.