A cat's tale

Posted at: 09/04/2012 5:31 PM | Updated at: 09/04/2012 6:06 PM
By: Christine VanTimmeren | WHEC.com

The inbox at Lollypop Farm has been overflowing lately with emails about a very special animal. A kitten was found by mechanics at Smitty’s transmission in Henrietta after a family said they heard it meowing all the way from Connecticut. The people at Lollypop Farm say she’s lucky to be alive and they can’t believe what she has been through. 

They come from the north, south, east and west. Thousands of animals come to Lollypop Farm every year, each one with a different story. 

Karin Forte, Foster Care Rescue Coordinator, said, “We've had pets come in from Niagara Falls, Pennsylvania, New York City.”

But no one has ever come in with a story like Connecticut. 

Forte said, “You don’t hear those stories very often. It makes her pretty special I think.” 

Her name says it all. Connecticut came by car, but not in the way you’re thinking. 

Forte said, “I’ve never heard of anything actually riding along in the car like that.” 

The one and a half pound, six week old, homeless kitten decided to hitch a ride to Rochester on top of the gas tank of a car bound for RIT from Connecticut. 

Forte said, “She didn't have any burns or scorching or any thing of heat exhaustion of any kind and it was warm that day. So she's pretty lucky.” 

She was lucky, but not perfect.

Forte said, “She was pretty scared. She was flee invested. She had conjunctivitis pretty bad in one eye.” 

Karin Forte has been treating, feeding and taking care of Connecticut every step of the way. 

Forte said, “That’s the bad thing about having kittens in your office, you get attached to them.”

Since Connecticut’s story has gotten out, Karin says the calls won’t stop coming in. 

Forte said, “A lot, a lot, we’ll just put it that way. I’m still going through all the emails and the calls.” 

Meaning Connecticut will likely make Rochester her purr-manent home. 

Forte said, “Oh yes, she'll have no problem being adopted. Once she's two pounds she'll have her surgery and be up for adoption.” 

Connecticut needs to gain some more weight and be spayed before she can be adopted. It’s first come, first serve. Dozens of people have called, but there is no list. First one there in two to three weeks when she’s ready will be able to take her home. 

Lollypop Farm does not think Connecticut belonged to anyone before she came to Rochester. In fact, Connecticut behaved like a feral cat when she was first brought to Lollypop that they didn’t know if she’d be able to be adopted at all. But Karin says her behavior has done a 180 in the past few days and she would make a great pet for any family.

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