Pontiac man able to take his ailing cat to a veterinarian, thanks to help from community

Published: Friday, December 09, 2011

By CAROL HOPKINS

Thanks to the generosity of strangers, a Pontiac man with a sick cat was able to have his pet seen by a veterinarian.

Arnold Kuerbitz, a disabled man on Social Security, was not able to afford medical care for his cat, C.C., so he appealed to people in The Oakland Press. The cat who had not been eating and was losing weight.

More than 20 people called Animal Care Network to donate $20-$25 each to help Kuerbitz and C.C.

The cat was examined by a Bloomfield Hills veterinarian.

C.C. doesn’t have leukemia or feline “AIDS,” said Pam Porteous, general manager with Animal Care Network, the organization that has helped Kuerbitz by providing food and hay for the several stray cats he has in his garage.

“She’s in rough shape, and there is something else going on with her,” said Porteous. The veterinarian provided the cat with fluids and is doing blood work.

C.C. was going home for the night.

The promise of funds from donors — to be received — were credited in helping this happen, said Porteous.

Porteous estimates the veterinarian bill might be $200.

Two callers phoned Porteous Thursday evening and the rest called Friday morning.

Kuerbitz said he “shed some tears” when he learned he could get C.C. in to see a veterinarian.

“I feel so good about this,” he said, thanking the people who called.

Porteous sounded pleased, too.

“There are still very, very generous, good-hearted people out there,” she said.

Contact Carol Hopkins at 248-745-4645 or carol.hopkins@oakpress.com . Follow her on Twitter @waterfordreport or on Facebook @OPcarolhopkins.

FYI

To help other animals that have been abandoned or abused, contact the Animal Care Network at 248-678-2756.