Abused cat with broken back treated like “just a toy” recovers in shelter

For some people, animals are family members, things of beauty and even preferable to humans. But to others, they are a nuisance or not thought of at all.

Animal cruelty and neglect are a concerning, regular occurrence throughout the world, and not all are as lucky as Kiri the cat. She was rescued by Sandra Mouawad, who runs the Paws Crossed rescue center in Lebanon.

“Kiri used to live in Bekaa in Lebanon, where she and some other cats would get fed and cared for by the neighbors,” Mouawad told Newsweek. “As I was told, some of the neighbors didn’t care for cats, and one day one of the children was seen throwing stones at her and apparently laughing as if she was just a toy.”

Mouawad said Kiri’s back was broken in half.

In a video posted to the rescue center’s TikTok account, @pawscrossedle, with over 1.8 million views, Kiri, a fluffy ginger and white cat, can be seen dragging her immobile back legs across the ground. Mouawad shared pictures of Kiri’s broken back and said surgery will give her a 60 percent chance of walking again.

“A fellow rescuer asked me if I can help her find someone to help this cat because she is overwhelmed and can’t pay $1,500 for MRI and surgery,” Mouawad said. “I didn’t want to take a new case because the shelter is full, but I ended up taking her in.”

After CT scans, surgery, physiotherapy ultrasound, electrotherapy and “a lot of love,” Kiri is recovering well.

While she now dedicates her life to rescuing animals, Mouawad wasn’t always an animal person.

“I was never overly fond of animals at first,” she said, “but after we adopted our first family dog I began to truly understand the pure love they can bring to your heart, and I couldn’t witness so much hate towards them and do nothing.”

Animal welfare is arguably not high on many people’s list of priorities in Lebanon.

“Due to the combined impact of the economic crisis, the absence of the government, the Covid-19 pandemic and the explosion that happened in Beirut in August 2020, pet owners are struggling more and more to afford to keep their pets while rescue organizations in Lebanon are facing a steep increase of pets being abandoned,” writes Florence Massena in The New Arab.

Similarly, in some countries dealing with economic and social unrest, animal welfare is considered a Western indulgence.

“There’s so much ignorance here,” said Mouawad. “People don’t think that cats and dogs have feelings, and there are very few consequences for the evil actions against them here. New laws are coming to in to protect them, but people don’t take it seriously. They hit and run, poison and abuse when they’ve had enough of them or ended up with a breed they can’t handle, it’s crazy.”

Users on TikTok were full of support for Mouawad and Kiri.

“Why can’t people teach their kids to be KIND to animals. They are the best things on this earth,” said one user.

Another said: “How awful I’m so sorry I’m gonna interact as many times as I can to help.”

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