Riverview Animal Hospital saves kitten thrown from moving car

When a kitten was thrown from a moving car on a Sunday morning in Durango, Colorado, the fiancée of Randi Dittmar, a veterinary technician at Riverview Animal Hospital, watched it happen right in front of her. She immediately pulled over and scooped up the bleeding kitten, then called the clinic, grateful that Riverview is the only veterinary hospital in the area open on Sundays.

The kitten, bleeding badly from his face and head, was alert but clearly in pain. Dr. Natasha Medici performed a thorough exam, and the team got to work with x-rays, a catheter for anti-nausea medication, hypertonic saline to treat his head trauma, Gabapentin for pain, and Tobramycin for his eye discharge. He was monitored closely throughout the day to make sure no new symptoms developed.

"Just knowing the scary event he had just gone through, he kept such a calm demeanor," said Randi. "He was such a snuggle bug, and it's crazy to think after all he's been through, he still turned to people for comfort!"

Word of the kitten's story spread fast on social media. Calls started coming in from community members wanting to help cover his care. By the end of the day, at least five individuals and one local nonprofit had donated toward his treatment.

"The community was astonished and angry that someone could be so cruel as to throw any animal, let alone a small kitten, from a moving vehicle," Elise Riley, Assistant Hospital Manager, shared. "But the generosity of our donors and the general response from our community was a reminder that there is good in the world."

Since then, he has found his forever home and has been back to the clinic for routine kitten wellness care. “He's the most affectionate cat you could imagine, snuggling with his new family and even their dogs,” said Elise. "For having had such a tough start to his life, he has rebounded incredibly well.”

“Being able to advocate and care for the kitten in a time of abandonment reaffirms my purpose and calling as a veterinary professional,” said Veterinary Technician Megan Williams. “It is so very special to know that he’s being taken care of by such a loving family and community to help him grow."