We have some fantastic news to share!

A severely injured cat who spent more than two years at Kitsap Humane Society –longer than any other shelter pet in our care — was adopted Dec. 11 by a volunteer veterinarian who helped him finally heal.

Gandalf arrived at KHS in 2017 with his collar embedded under his front armpit, causing a deep, infected wound. Our veterinarians worked tirelessly to treat him, but after several surgeries and antibiotics, the wound wouldn’t completely heal. Our veterinarians were determined to get Gandalf well so he could be adopted into a home of his own and reached out to specialists for assistance.

“Gandalf came into KHS in such critical shape and easily fell into our hearts right away,” said Director of Shelter Medicine, Dr. Jen Stonequist. “Despite his condition, he was so trusting and loving right from the start!”

After consulting with a dermatologist, it was discovered that Gandalf suffered from an autoimmune disorder that caused his body to reject the healing tissue, making it almost impossible for his wound to close. Now aware of his disorder, the KHS vet team administered steroid medication and sought the help of local veterinarian, Dr. Charles Crawford, to provide laser therapy treatments. For several months, Dr. Crawford donated his time and expertise to help heal the wound site.

“The biggest benefits of laser therapy, especially for wounds, is an increase in blood supply that allows the
body to heal, helps nerves conduct better, reduces inflammation, and stimulates natural pain relievers,”
said Dr. Crawford. “So, we used that on him to shrink his wound.”

Having recently undergone open heart surgery, Dr. Crawford empathized with Gandalf’s vulnerable state,
and during their weekly sessions together, they bonded. We’re so grateful for Dr. Crawford’s willingness to
volunteer his medical expertise and for opening his home to this special cat. While we will miss Gandalf’s
sweet charm, we can’t imagine a more loving forever home for him!