Staff at the Pet Life at the Saco Valley Shopping Center found an abandoned cat the morning of Feb. 5. Staff say the cat was in a folded over cardboard box inside a hooded litter box, and had duct tape around its mouth.
The cat was given medical care, a cast was put on a broken leg and he was taken to the Animal Welfare Society in Kennebunk.
Saco Police Sergeant Scott Ouellette and his wife heard about the cat. Though the animal lovers, who already had three dogs and three cats, weren’t planning on adding any more animals to their household, the story tugged at their hearts. Ouellette said he and his wife don’t have children, and their animals are like their kids.
Ouellette said Opie is in good health. It was thought at first that he might have to get a leg amputated, but the leg healed. Opie walks with a bit of a limp and has small scars on his nose and ear from the duct tape, but is in good health, said Ouellette. He’s adjusted well to his new home and gets along with the other animals in the household. “He’s fitting right in and making himself at home,” said Ouellette. “He’s a great addition to our family.”
Ouellette said the cat is estimated to be between six months and one year old. Despite the trauma he’s been through, he’s a nice, loving animal.
“He’s really a friendly cat. He’s very playful,” said Ouellette. He said his wife wasn’t feeling well one day, and Opie snuggled right up to her as she was resting.
The case of Opie’s abandonment and mistreatment is under investigation and no one has been charged. “I’ve been doing this job for 15 years, I know not every case is solvable,” said Ouellette. However, he said, “I’d like to see that person get their day in court. He’s just a good cat, I don’t know why anyone would want to do that to him.”
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].
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