A Denver-area non-profit called Cat Care Society (CCS) has built its annual Holiday Appeal around the success of its recent work with the abandoned 7-year-old cat named 'Necklace' by the Society Staff. Necklace was found with multiple skin injuries to her neck and face, an ulcer on her upper lip, a broken tooth, and three open facial wounds near her ear, jaw, and cheek.

While under The Cat Clinic's care, Necklace received daily antiseptic washes of her wounds. Gauze around her neck enables her to wear a protective cone, which prevents further injury from scratching. She is starting to heal, and despite all her trauma, Necklace loves to be touched. She will lean in for “head butts” and starts purring and kneading as soon as someone shows affection.

The CCS reports that Necklace was adopted on November 18, though she still has to wear the cone to keep her from scratching her delicate healing skin.

Necklace’s story is disturbing–and ultimately uplifting–but certainly not unique among the cats Cat Care Society has known and cared for during its 30 years of service to the community.

"The CCS Necklace appeal is timed perfectly with our Society's participation in the GivingFirst.org Colorado Gives Day on December 6,” said Diane Stoner, CCS board president. “We were accepted as a registered non-profit organization in the program earlier this year."

This is the second year for Colorado Gives Day and, similar to last year, processing fees will be covered by Community First Foundation, FirstBank and local foundations so that 100 percent of Colorado Gives Day donations go directly to nonprofit organizations such as CCS.

CCS does not receive any government funding; all financial support comes from the community in the form of private donations. Here's now donations help Cat Care Society:

$5,000 feeds 60 cats for 9 months.

$1,000 cares for 30 kittens, including shots, spays/neuters, microchips, food and litter.

$500 provides medical care for one geriatric cat for one year.

$125 purchases one month’s worth of kitty litter.

$50 provides antibiotics for a sick cat.

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