Rescue Stories: Rico - Rescued From A Dumpster

Hello and Happy Friday! As part of our Rescue Stories series we have a great story for you.  Today I present you with Rico! We met Rico on Instagram and just had to find out more about his rescue. Rico was found in a dumpster, just like me. And let me tell you, the dumpster is not a nice place. Read on to see how his Mom fell in love with him at first sight. 
Lola

Almost 12 years ago I lived on a busy street, and as I was walking home one day, I took the short cut which was behind a shopping center. As I walked past a dumpster I heard a cat crying.  I looked around but didn’t see anything, so I kept walking. The further away I walked, the louder he cried.  It’s so strange to say this, but it was as if he knew that I was walking away. I stopped and went back to where I could hear him more clearly, and realized it was coming from the dumpster behind a fast food place. I immediately searched for a couple of boxes so I could reach him deep down in the dumpster. I was horrified at this tiny emaciated kitten that obviously was put in there by a human (for the lack of a better word!) He had no hair except for the tip of his tail and you could count his bones that were protruding from his little body.  I walked across the street with the kitten to my vet’s office to get him some help. He was infected with ring worms and infested with fleas and round worms.  The vet treated him for all but the fleas. I brought him home and named him Rico. I had to de-flea him with a bath of pesticide, and I had to keep him away from my senior cat, Tazz, (who was diagnosed with cancer) for four weeks. In about two months he was fully recovered. 

Rico is a handsome boy! 

Rico changed my life because with his unconditional love and total trust in me regardless of the abuse he had suffered before I rescued him he became a part of my heart that will always be there.I knew the moment I saw him and looked into his big frightened eyes he would be mine forever! I can't tell you how much I love him.  He's still trying to adapt to my latest rescue, Izzy, he's doing a great job being a big bro. 

Before and after. What a difference.

Rico lives in Stockton, California with his mom, Julann.  You can find Rico on Instagram at @passionate_4_rico. Many thanks to his mom for sharing his story, and for saving him from the dumpster.