January 10 Update: SHA SHA, we are happy to report, is doing much better. Compare her photo now with those on her full story link below. She was going to be euthanized at the shelter because she was so sick, terribly thin, had little coat and ringworm, and horrible parasite infections that left her butt raw. She was in such bad condition that we couldn't correctly ID her. She has turned out to be a beautiful Ruddy Abyssinian. In spite of all that she has gone through she is active and loving and purrs with delight with the attention and love given her, returning it with gusto. Unfortunately she still has diarrhea and a slightly red butt. But in rescue the most critical things are dealt with first and that was saving her life. She is now over 7lbs.  Sha Sha is a very special girl and will make someone a wonderful companion. The amazing thing about her is that she seems to know that the medications and examinations are in her best interest and she sits there and allows you to do what is needed. That probably saved her life. Thank you for all your donations for this wonderful girl. It will probably be several months before she appears on the adoptable page.

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Sha Sha's photos help us put a fine point on what animals go through in puppy and kitten mills. She is reflective of the body condition of close to a dozen of the cats we took in this group. All are in bad condition, but the ones like this are quite shocking to deal with on a daily basis.

Sha Sha's entire back end is red and raw from urine and fecal matter burning the skin. She has diarrhea so bad that she has no bowel control. We have to change her bedding 2-3 times daily because she soils it and then lays in it. She was so covered with filth that we had to soak her and bathe her three times to get 1/4 inch thick feces off of her back
end. Much of her hair fell out in the sink as we bathed her. She has ear mites and she has ringworm over most of her body. On a scale of 1-5 her body condition would rate as a one ... near starvation. To add insult to injury she picked up an upper respiratory infection at the shelter. At this time Purebreds Plus volunteers are caring for her round the
clock. She gets bathed as needed, vaseline rubbed on her back end, and we clean and dispose of her bedding several times per day. We give her three different types of medication, twice per day.

Through it all she's a sweet girl, except for the part where we're trying to give her pills. Then we worry about losing fingers. She is a wonderful girl and we are so hoping she pulls through this. We expect Sha Sha to be with us 4-12
months. During that time period she will need several blood panels so we can monitor what is going on with her internal organs after this massive parasite infection and near starvation has nearly killed her. If you would like to send any amount to help pay for Sha Sha's care during her
stay in Rescue, we'd be most appreciative. If you cannot send money, please come back often and watch for updates on her condition. Send this story to your friends and maybe together we can change the lives of more cats in need.