GARDEN CITY -- A kitten is in critical condition after someone abused it Thursday. A veterinary technician caring for the kitten says someone put chemicals in its eyes and mouth. The kitten was also kicked and thrown around, according to a woman who says she saw some of the abuse.
As a veterinary technician at a non-profit clinic, Traci Ward has seen abuse cases, and this particular case is as bad as any.
"It's hard enough seeing an animal that's just not feeling well, but an animal was put into a bad situation, when they're just helpless beings, you know," Ward said.
Ward and others at Northwest Animal Companion's Clinic in Garden City are taking voluntary shifts to monitor the kitten 24 hours a day.
"Right now, it's not looking great," Ward said. "But we've got all the optimism we can, and we're going to give her all the care we could possibly give her to help her pull through."
The kitten, named Raisin, came in Thursday morning after a Meridian woman, Danielle Stem saw her.
"When I saw that, it just took my breath away," Stem said. "I thought I cannot in good conscience just drive by and not do anything or say anything."
Stem was driving to work when she says she saw two teenage boys in a yard, one with Raisin.
"As I get even closer, I can see he's hanging a kitten upside down. So, then I see him kind of dropping and kind of kicking him," Stem said.
Stem took Raisin to her vet, who contacted Northwest Animal Companion's Clinic, where Ward found out the abuse was worse than first thought. The kitten has chemical burns in her eyes, mouth and throat.
"It's scary for [the kitten] because she can't breathe and she can't see, so she doesn't understand what's going on," Ward said. "She's definitely painful."
Ward said the kitten is likely blind, but they're hoping she'll eventually be able to breathe and eat on her own and then go through their adoption center.
"It's going to be quite a while until she'll be able to be adopted," Ward said. "But if we can get her up and going, that she will find a forever home and be loved by someone."
Stem is even considering adopting Raisin if she gets better.
No one has filed a formal complaint with the Meridian Police Department. The department tells us this case would qualify for a misdemeanor animal abuse charge. If the person were caught, they could face up to six months in jail and a $100 to $5,000 fine.
The veterinary clinic in Garden City that took the kitten in is supported by a thrift store called Restyle. The non-profit group is opening another thrift store Saturday morning in Boise at Fairview and Five Mile. With that new store, the group hopes to eventually open a new, bigger animal clinic and shelter.
