A Second Chance for Willie

Chele’s Cat Care got the call… “Can you help me? My landlord needs my cats and me gone.” When we asked how many cats, the answer was uncertain. Six months later, we had taken in around sixty cats and kittens. Some were in critical condition, but with care and patience, most recovered and began new lives.

Then came another urgent plea and the second round of rescues. That’s when we met Willie and Giermo, affectionately known as “Little G.”

Willie was Little G’s protector, always hovering close, even sitting on top of him like a mama hen keeping her chick warm. But we quickly realized something was wrong. Every time Willie ate, food and mucus came out of his nose.

At first, we tried antibiotics, hoping it was a simple infection. But it soon became clear that Willie needed more help. A veterinary exam revealed a cleft palate — a hole in the roof of his mouth that allowed food and fluids to pass into his nasal cavity. It's a condition rarely seen in cats. The vet suspected it may have been caused by trauma, perhaps from biting into an electric cord. Despite his discomfort, Willie remained sweet, patient, and endlessly loving.

To give Willie the chance he deserved, we brought him to veterinary dentist and oral surgeon Dr. Magnolia Jucan at Carefree Dentistry and Oral Surgery for Animals. Willie's first surgery involved carefully creating tissue flaps from the top of his mouth and suturing them over the cleft to close the gap. It was a delicate, intricate procedure, and Willie handled it like a champ.

After several months of healing, a recheck revealed a small area that hadn't fully closed. Willie would need a second surgery to complete the repair. This time, Dr. Jucan used a special grafting technique to provide extra support for a new flap that was sutured over the remaining hole. The recovery process was long but thanks to expert veterinary care, lots of love from his foster parents, and your support, Willie’s cleft palate is now completely closed and healed. We truly appreciate the wonderful care Willie received from the amazing Dr. Jucan and her wonderful staff!

Today, Willie is thriving! He's one of the kindest cats we’ve ever met — affectionate, gentle, and ready for a forever home where he’ll be cherished just as much as he deserves.

Caring for cats like Willie takes time, dedication, and significant financial resources. Surgeries, medications, and follow-up care all add up, but every dollar helps us save lives and give cats like Willie a second chance. If you’d like to support our ongoing rescue work or help cats with serious medical needs, please consider donating through the button on our website or via Zelle at Chele Ford, 602-290-0563.

Interested in meeting Willie? Contact us at info@chelescatcare.org or fill out our adoption form here.