A rescue cat that spent approximately 10 days stuck in an illegal leg trap in Canal Flats and lost his leg in an amputation has been adopted after seven weeks of rehabilitation.
The now three-legged orange and white cat, who was named Trapper by the Invermere Companion Animal Network (ICAN), was found by a Canal Flats resident who reported the injury to ICAN on June 24th. Trapper was delivered to Invermere veterinarian Mark Zehnder, who performed an amputation on Trapper’s nearly severed leg after treating his infections.
The leg hold trap, which is also known as a restraining trap, catches the animal by its limb.
The pelts remain “unspoiled” on animals such as foxes, coyotes, raccoons, wolves, lynx and bobcats by holding its foot in place and keeping the animal alive until a trapper can collect
the pelt.
Once triggered, the trap prevents animals from moving, eating, drinking, fighting predators or caring for their babies.
Trapper’s leg was abnormally thin and nearly severed after being caught in the trap for an extended period of time.
According to the Association For The Protection of Fur Bearing Animals, some wild animals become so desperate to escape that they resort to chewing or wringing off their own trapped limb in order to escape, which often means breaking teeth and bones in the process.
“Trapper’s now in his new home,” said ICAN volunteer, Lana Banham. “He loves being patted, and we didn’t even know that would happen so soon. It’s been two and a half months, and he was semi-feral when he was rescued, so it’s been a team effort.”
Trapper’s new caregiver, who wished to remain anonymous, spent weeks visiting Trapper at ICAN to help the feline get familiar with his temporary home. She was eager to take him home on August 27th and help rehabilitate him. Within 72 hours, she could hold the skittish animal.
“His new Mom says that Trapper just can’t get enough pets now,” said Ms. Banham. “He turns himself inside out for pets, and when he is feeling especially talkative, he drools like a Saint Bernard.
“There’s one other cat in the home, who is elderly and, funnily enough, has an injury with his back legs… they’re both compromised, but they’re perfect, and they love each other. I can’t wait to see those two walking around together, it’s going to be so frickin’ cute.”
During the month of September, ICAN is offering 60 per cent off all adopted cats and kittens — $40 each — and would like to see more caregivers step up to the task of taking on a rescue animal. For more information, call ICAN to book an appointment at 250-341-7888.