Timmins animal lovers rally to help injured stray cat

Odin, a suspected stray cat from Timmins, Ont., is on the road to recovery after an accident left him with serious injuries. Lydia Chubak shares his story.

Odin, a stray cat from Timmins, is considered a warrior. According to the Timmins and District Humane Society, he was likely hit by a vehicle about a week ago and left with devastating injuries.

“Our vet team here did everything they could to make him comfortable,” said Chelsey Romain, fundraising coordinator for the local humane society.

“His eye, unfortunately, had to be removed. X-rays showed there was some damage. It became very evident that we had one of two choices after that, and it was euthanize or get a referral.”

Staff told CTV News that Odin “won them over” very quickly.

“His personality, his spirit, his perseverance, all of it inspirational,” said Romain.

“This cat did not want to give up and we decided to reach out to the community to see if they would help us, give him that second chance.”

The human society said that community support was tremendous – around $5,000 poured in to help Odin receive the immediate surgeries he needed at a clinic in Ottawa.

Though staff told CTV News the final vet bill came in at around $8,000.

As of Friday evening, the society’s online fundraiser on zeffy has raised more than $8,850.

Odin’s Army

“I’ve dubbed them Odin’s army because they’ve come out and they supported him through every step of this,” said Romain.

“We’ve gotten gifts sent for Odin for when he returns. We’ve gotten monetary donations, well-wishes. It’s been incredible. We have not seen a response like this in a long time.”

“Animals touch us in a way that, you know, you can’t explain,” said Lynn Michaud, the society’s executive director.

“It’s almost visceral and when you see an animal like this and you hear their story again, that human part of us reaches out and just we step up and people have stepped up for Odin in a way that we are, like, so blessed and like, astounded.”

The Humane Society said one of the important lessons to learn form Odin is this is what can happen when cats are left to roam the streets; adding the outcome isn’t always as hopeful as it’s been for Odin.

Still a long road ahead

Odin is out of surgery and setting in at a temporary foster home in Ottawa, he is expected to return to Timmins in about three weeks. Officials said he’ll still require follow-up care and then a search for his special forever home will begin.

You can follow Odin’s journey on Timmins and District Humane Society’s Facebook page.