Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Cat rescued from Westlake school bus recovering, but medical bills likely to total $2,500
Cleveland.com ^ | 11/21/2014 | Barb Galbincea

Posted on 11/21/2014 12:08:08 PM PST by EBH

WESTLAKE, Ohio -- Margie, a cat rescued from the engine belt of a Westlake school bus last week, is recovering, but her medical bills are piling up.

So far, the Westlake Animal Hospital has provided about $1,800 in care to Margie, who was found stuck in the bus' serpentine belt, according to a news release from the school district.

The 1-year-old cat was discovered after Westlake bus driver Marge Laskowski radioed fellow driver Denise Wering during their morning routes on Nov. 12 to check the back of Wering's bus. When the drivers pulled off of Dover Center Road, they spotted a tail and a paw sticking out of the rear engine.

Westlake Animal Control Officer Jim Wang freed the cat -- now named Margie in honor of Laskowski -- and brought it to veterinarian David Love's Westlake Animal Hospital on Center Ridge Road.

Drivers think the cat crawled into the engine while the bus was parked overnight and plugged in to make it easier to start in cold weather.

Veterinarian Colleen Madden had to amputate one of the cat's legs because of a severe break, and her tail also will have to be amputated.

The hospital staff, which included Megan Hoffman, a registered veterinary technician, discovered that the cat was pregnant. But Margie lost her four kittens this week.

Westlake drivers drivers Leah Vandersluis and Denise Higgins have been among those keeping tabs on Margie while she recovers.

"The staff at the Westlake Animal Hospital has been absolutely phenomenal," Higgins said in the news release "They invite us in to see Margie all the time and let us stay as long as we want. The vets come in and talk to us. Megan (Hoffman) is text messaging us at 9:30 at night to give us updates. They are very dedicated."

The transportation department of the Westlake schools has raised more than $300 for Margie's care, which is likely to total about $2,500 or more.

Anyone who wants to donate to the Westlake Animal Hospital's Good Samaritan Fund can mail or drop off a check at the hospital, 27370 Center Ridge Road, Westlake, 44145. You can also make a credit card donation by calling 440-835-3800.

You can follow Margie's progress on the hospital's Facebook page.


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Health/Medicine; Local News; Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: cat; kittyping; margie; wah
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-52 next last
A heads-up warning as this is my vet they are talking about. Their office graciously takes in and treats the animals that the Westlake Animal Control Officer brings in. Which in the past several weeks has been two cats with fairly significant issues, Margie being one of them. The other is a kitten that came in with a broken pelvis that will likely mend itself as the little guy is too tiny.

What bothers me so much about this posting is not the article itself or that they even chose to treat Margie, as I know they would not have done so if they felt her quality of life would be greatly impacted. Tripod cats and dogs often go on to do very well.

What bothers be or I see as significant are the comments afterwards. Normally these kinds of stories bring out the big hearts. I am really shocked to see the folks commenting like they are.

It just struck me as so very odd. An example perhaps of what is slipping away from the hearts of men.

1 posted on 11/21/2014 12:08:09 PM PST by EBH
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: EBH

Cat got belted on a bus.

Do they have video?


2 posted on 11/21/2014 12:10:38 PM PST by Scrambler Bob (/s /s /s /s /s, my replies are "liberally" sprinkled with them behind every word and letter.!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: EBH

I will see about writing a check to help and tell my wife too. She is a big animal lover and helps a lot with shelters. Her schedule is more accommodating.


3 posted on 11/21/2014 12:13:49 PM PST by wally_bert (There are no winners in a game of losers. I'm Tommy Joyce, welcome to the Oriental Lounge.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: EBH

Sign of the times. People who make negative comments about animals, especially cats, are subhuman imo. If their behavior is in sinc with their sicko comments, they need psych help (possible abusers).


4 posted on 11/21/2014 12:18:30 PM PST by fivecatsandadog (OBAMA - giving us two more years of living hell.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: fivecatsandadog

Some of those screen names tell you they are liberals...where’s the love? They seem so empty.


5 posted on 11/21/2014 12:22:14 PM PST by EBH (And the angel poured out his cup...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: wally_bert

Wow...wasn’t quite what I was looking for ...but they will very much appreciate it. Thank you for taking the time to read and maybe donate.


6 posted on 11/21/2014 12:23:29 PM PST by EBH (And the angel poured out his cup...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: EBH

The estimated price for their services appear to be high but the training, education, and monetary layout to treat the cat price wise should be commensurate with the same amount other professions get for their services. Unfortunately, veterinarians are the lowest paid professionals on average within the medical community and yet have the most extensive and competitive education. If I had the money that I had donated in services and bad debts I could retire comfortably.


7 posted on 11/21/2014 12:26:41 PM PST by vetvetdoug
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Slings and Arrows

kitty ping...


8 posted on 11/21/2014 12:32:32 PM PST by Twotone (Truth is hate to those who hate truth.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: EBH

Poor thing


9 posted on 11/21/2014 12:35:38 PM PST by nuconvert ( Khomeini promised change too // Hail, Chairman O)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nuconvert

10 posted on 11/21/2014 12:38:57 PM PST by EBH (And the angel poured out his cup...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: EBH

When i was a small child, we all went out and got in my mom’s ‘64 Buick Skylark. When she started it there was all sorts of thumping and fur flying out from under the hood.

Out came our cat with most of the fur removed down the length of its spine.

The cat managed to jump the power steering belt off and lose all that fur without being injured.

I still do not understand how it could have happened. It spent one of its lives that day I guess.


11 posted on 11/21/2014 12:39:16 PM PST by Clay Moore ("911 is for when the backhoe won't start." JRandomFreeper)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: EBH

12 posted on 11/21/2014 12:40:22 PM PST by EBH (And the angel poured out his cup...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: EBH

Oh dear, so precious. May she live a long and healthy life in a very very good home.


13 posted on 11/21/2014 12:44:01 PM PST by Veto! (Opinions freely dispensed as advice)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Twotone; Slings and Arrows; Glenn; republicangel; Beaker; BADROTOFINGER; etabeta; asgardshill; ...

14 posted on 11/21/2014 12:45:24 PM PST by Slings and Arrows ("I Only Love You When I'm Drunk" - http://youtu.be/uT-tCbvfDUg)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: EBH
I did not read comments, but notice where this is. I do not expect much from eastern cities, being infested with liberals.

As callous as they are about abortion, why care about kittens?

15 posted on 11/21/2014 12:52:21 PM PST by doorgunner69
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: doorgunner69

” I do not expect much from eastern cities, being infested with liberals.”


A city in Ohio is hardly an Eastern city.

.


16 posted on 11/21/2014 12:55:13 PM PST by Mears
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Mears

“A city in Ohio is hardly an Eastern city.”

It is to someone that grew up in the west.


17 posted on 11/21/2014 12:57:30 PM PST by doorgunner69
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: EBH
What bothers be

YOU? What bothers ME is that I've never read any articles where veterinarians have donated services non gratis for such animals but are more than willing to treat the animal as long the host of volunteers collect the required $2,500.......

Ask your vet if he/she has ever participated in a program where they volunteer their services one day a month to administer aid to animals of owners who can't afford the vet bills...........

In the human medical profession, it's called a "hippie clinic".......

18 posted on 11/21/2014 12:58:31 PM PST by Hot Tabasco (Don't harsh my buzz homie......)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: doorgunner69

They are usually kinder to kittens than kids...

Oh and it is the Midwest.


19 posted on 11/21/2014 12:59:27 PM PST by EBH (And the angel poured out his cup...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Hot Tabasco

They donate service the Westlake Animal Control...but I guess you missed that part.


20 posted on 11/21/2014 1:01:31 PM PST by EBH (And the angel poured out his cup...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-52 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson