Princess Polly – A Little Fighter with a Whole Lot of Love to Give Hi, I'm Princess Polly! I've had quite the journey, and there was a time when I almost didn't get the chance to tell my story. But thanks to some pretty amazing people who refused to give up on me, I'm here today! My story began when some wonderful people found me lying outside their front door, barely able to move. They brought me inside and tried to help, but I was very sick. They took me to San Francisco Animal Care & Control (SFACC), where I was rushed to the emergency hospital. It turned out I had diabetes and was suffering from a life-threatening condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Thankfully, the doctors stabilized me and started me on insulin. I had a microchip, but sadly, no one came to claim me. And that's when things got really scary. The kind people who found me never forgot about me. They checked with SFACC every single day to see how I was doing. Then came the news no one wanted to hear. If a rescue didn't commit to taking me by the end of the day, I would be euthanized. My finder wasn't about to let that happen without a fight. She reached out to Give Me Shelter Cat Rescue, begging them to help me. They immediately contacted SFACC and asked to review my medical records, which bought me a few precious days. At first, there were concerns that I might need hospice care. But my finder even had her own veterinarian review my records, and the vet believed I had a chance to recover. I was also showing signs of improvement during my time at SFACC. How could anyone give up on me when I was trying so hard to get better? Give Me Shelter decided to give me that chance, and that's how I became Princess Polly! And guess what? Just one week after arriving in foster care, I went to the vet, and my lab values were all within normal range! My blood sugar was still too high, but otherwise, I was doing remarkably well. I wasn't a hospice kitty after all. I was alive, getting stronger, and thriving! I'm one lucky girl to have had so many people advocating for me. Without them, I wouldn't be here today. Now, let me tell you about the real me! I'm a confident, affectionate girl who absolutely loves being loved. Petting is one of my favorite things, and I even have a signature move. When you stop petting me before I'm ready, I'll gently reach out with my paw, grab your hand, and pull it back toward me. That's my way of saying, "Excuse me, I wasn't finished!" It's pretty irresistible, if I do say so myself. I love being part of whatever you're doing, whether that's relaxing on the couch, working at your desk, or just hanging out together. I'm a wonderful companion who enjoys attention, affection, and being close to my people. Now, about my diabetes. I know it might sound intimidating, but I promise I'm a really good patient! I get insulin twice a day, and I'm so easygoing about my injections. I've even worked out a pretty sweet deal with my foster mom. Every time I get my insulin, I get a Churu treat! I know the routine, and I think it's a pretty fair trade. I'm also a champ when it comes to having my blood sugar checked. My foster mom uses a little glucose meter to make sure I'm doing well, and I cooperate like the good girl I am. I do have some funny eating habits. I'm more of a grazer than a finish-my-dinner-in-one-sitting kind of girl. My foster mom is working with me on that because a healthy diet is especially important for my diabetes. I love my treats, especially Churu, dehydrated chicken, and the occasional little bit of crunchy kibble! As for my forever home, I'd be perfectly happy being your one and only princess, but I could also share my kingdom with a mellow kitty friend. I've been through a lot, but none of it has changed my loving personality. I'm a happy, affectionate girl with so much love to give. I just need someone who understands that my diabetes is part of my life and is willing to help me stay healthy. So many people fought to give me a second chance. Now all I need is a forever family to share it with. Could that be you? Follow my adventures @purrfect_purrminators. A Little More About Polly's Diabetes & Daily Care Polly is diabetic and currently receives 1 unit of insulin (Lantus) twice daily, approximately 12 hours apart, as prescribed by her veterinarian. She is exceptionally cooperative with her injections and blood glucose testing. Feeding & Nutrition Polly is currently fed a primarily canned-food diet, which is important for managing her diabetes and supporting the possibility of diabetic remission. She tends to graze rather than eat an entire meal at once, so we're continuing to work on establishing a consistent feeding routine. Her current diet and treats include: Canned food as her primary source of nutrition. Churu treats, which she especially enjoys after her insulin injections. Dehydrated chicken treats. A very small amount of Hill's Prescription Diet w/d dry food as an occasional treat, since she enjoys her kibble. Blood Glucose Monitoring We use the AlphaTrak 3 blood glucose monitoring system to track Polly's glucose levels. The meter also connects to an app, making it easy to record readings and monitor trends over time. Polly is wonderfully cooperative during testing. Looking Ahead Our hope is that with consistent insulin therapy, an appropriate diet, and regular monitoring, Polly may eventually achieve diabetic remission. While remission isn't guaranteed, we're doing everything we can to give her the best opportunity. Polly will need an adopter committed to her twice-daily insulin schedule, appropriate feeding, glucose monitoring, and ongoing veterinary care. Her insulin needs may change over time and should be managed with veterinary guidance. Diabetes doesn't define Polly. She's a loving, confident, affectionate companion who happens to need a little extra care. In return, she'll reward you with endless purrs, affection, and her adorable signature paw pulls asking for just a few more pets. Please note:Polly is a Special Needs cat.
