The heroic firemen of Station 17, located in a hanger within the Burbank Airport, found Shadow earlier this year. Not long after finding her, the firemen noticed Shadow had acquired some horrible burn-type sores across her face and head, perhaps from human abuse or airport chemicals. Shadow wasn’t shy and let the firemen approach her. It was clear she needed immediate care.
One fireman knew what to do, and thought immediately of FixNation. FixNation is a non-profit organization that offers low-cost and free care to homeless cats through harm-free catch and release services, spay and neuter treatment, and emergency medical care. Through our programs, FixNation has attended to over 100,000 cats since its inception in 2007. When a desperate kitty needs care, the residents of Los Angeles know to call on FixNation as a resource.
Once at FixNation, our expert medical staff and veterinary caregivers tended to Shadow’s burns with antibiotics. They discovered Shadow was already fixed and had a microchip implant. Her “chip home” was a car repair shop five miles from Station 17, but they were not very attached to Shadow. The shop decided to hand her fate over to FixNation and the firemen.
These firemen understood their options when she came into their world. They could (1) bring Shadow to a shelter for possible adoption, but likely euthanasia. They could (2) release Shadow into a feral, homeless condition colony. Last, but not least, they could (3) invite Shadow into Station 17 as a permanent resident.
We at FixNation are so thankful for the big hearts of our firemen in Los Angeles County. The supermen of Station 17 chose to adopt Shadow. What Station 17 can’t agree on is her official name; she has been given over 14 nicknames! We consider that a good sign of each fireman’s individual and un-apathetic attachment to her.
We want to stress that FixNation is a secondary character in this story. The firemen and Shadow are its heroes. We play the supporting role, so that Los Angeles residents and her animals can take the lead. All of our resources and energy goes into making this a reality.
The kitties will continue to come in and out of our doors to be cared for by our expert staff—we often are able to care for close to 100 cats each day–but our Los Angeles area neighbors and animals continue on living their stories. We’re proud that because we could medically care for Shadow, these super-hero firemen had the heart and mind to emotionally care for her well-being.
FixNation is ambitious about making our services as accessible and dependable as possible, so that our neighbors can spend their energy on compassion. We exist to educate those who may view homeless community cats as “pests” and showing the cats are a living part of our community – deserving of humane treatment and respect.
We are so grateful Station 17 came to FixNation, even more so that Shadow’s story is a happy one…and her story is not over yet!
