Westy Update - 18th/28th September 2001
18th September 2001 - Veterinarian Don Ostwald holds Westy at the Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, USA. Four months after two teenagers set Westy on fire, the cat is ready to leave the animal hospital. Westy has undergone three major surgeries and has had his ears, tail and one leg amputated.
Westy Adoption Announced
28th September 2001 - Table Mountain Animal Center and Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital held a press conference to introduce the new owner of Westy the cat. Jenny Pace, a certified veterinary technician from Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital is the new adoptive owner of Westy. Jenny has been Westy's primary care taker since he has been at Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital. Doctors stated that Westy will be able to go home with Jenny in a couple of days.
Dr. Don Ostwald updated that Westy has been at Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital since Saturday, 26th May after being intentionally set on fire by two teenage boys in Westminster. He has been hospitalized for 126 days, including 60 days in the intensive care unit. He has had 4 major surgeries including amputation of his left hind leg, his tail and the tips of his ears. He has also had multiple skin grafts. Dr. Ostwald stated that Westy is expected to live a long life, but stressed that he will be a 'special needs' cat for the rest of his life. He will need frequent rechecks and possibly some minor surgeries as his skin continues to contract. Westy's medical expenses have totaled an estimate of $28,000. Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital has donated all services to Table Mountain Animal Center and will receive no payment for their services.
Donna Straub, director of Table Mountain Animal Center announced that all of the donations received for Westy will be contributed to a newly established 'Westy Fund' to assist with emergency veterinary medical expenses of sick strays, injured strays or cruelty case animals. Additionally, it will establish a minimum of $1,000 for rewards leading to the arrest and conviction of person(s) committing cruelty to animals in Jefferson County. It will also cover medical costs up to $200 for treating these animals at any veterinary clinic contracted for services with Table Mountain Animal Center.
State Senator Deanna Hanna of Lakewood announced that she will be introducing the 'Westy Bill' in January 2002. The proposed bill will make a 1st offense of animal cruelty a felony. It will increase the fines for juveniles as well as providing counseling for these juveniles and their families.
