Responsible Pet Ownership: What Buddy’s Story Teaches Us

 

 

Buddy’s journey from abandonment to emergency rescue, from FIV diagnosis to end-of-life care reveals the brutal consequences of neglect. His story isn’t rare. It’s a mirror held up to a larger problem: the casual disregard some people show toward the animals they once called family.

Responsible pet ownership isn’t complicated. But it is non-negotiable.

Here’s what it means:

Sterilize and Vaccinate

Unaltered cats like Buddy are more likely to roam, fight, and contract diseases like FIV. Neutering isn’t just population control it’s protection. Vaccination is basic care. Without it, cats are left vulnerable to preventable suffering.

Never Abandon

Moving is not an excuse. A housecat cannot “figure it out.” They don’t know where to find food, shelter, or safety. Abandonment is a death sentence disguised as indifference. If you can’t take your pet, rehome responsibly. Don’t leave them behind.

 Understand Their Needs

Cats aren’t low-maintenance accessories. They’re sentient beings with emotional and physical needs. Responsible ownership means learning about their health, behavior, and environment—and adapting to meet those needs, even when it’s inconvenient.

Commit for Life

Pets age. They get sick. They change. Responsible ownership means staying through the vet visits, the dietary changes, the mobility issues. It means loving them when they’re no longer “easy.”

Advocate and Educate

If you know better, speak up. Share stories like Buddy’s. Help others understand that ethical pet ownership isn’t optional it’s a moral responsibility. Every abandoned animal is a reflection of human failure. Every rescued one is a chance to do better.

Buddy didn’t choose his suffering. But he chose to survive. And we chose to love him through it.

If you’re reading this and you’ve ever wondered what responsible pet ownership looks like it looks like Buddy. It looks like showing up, even when it’s hard. It looks like love with no expiration date. Learn more about Buddy here 

This article published by Susan Golis, Freelance Writer, blogger, and Content Creator.  AI images created by Susan Golis 

Buddy’s Story: From Abandonment to End-of-Life Care

 

In 2018, my husband and I rescued a cat who had been left behind when his owners moved away. They didn’t neuter him, didn’t vaccinate him and simply abandoned him to fend for himself. He was a young, unaltered male, pacing the porch of the empty house, meowing for the family that had vanished. 

We tried everything food, treats, gentle coaxing but he wouldn’t come near us. We set humane traps and caught a raccoon, a possum, even a fox. But not the cat. It wasn’t until after a brutal street fight that we found him, bloodied and dazed, at the side of the road. We rushed him to the emergency vet.

He had bite wounds across his body, deep facial scratches, blood in his eyes, and a ruptured eardrum. The vet suspected a head injury. We treated him with antibiotics and stitches, and while his external wounds healed, the internal ones never did. He was diagnosed with FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus), and his vision and hearing were permanently compromised.

We named him Buddy.

Buddy sways when he walks. His depth perception is off. He struggles to get down from the sofa or his scratching post. Because of his disabilities, we knew he couldn’t be adopted out. He needed vigilant, lifelong care and we committed to giving it.

We eventually socialize him with Sam, our other FIV cat. Now both cats are part of our family.

Now, at age 9, Buddy has entered end-of-life care. He’s developed kidney disease, and we’re doing everything we can to support him. For an FIV-positive cat, this feels like a short life especially when our Siamese lived to 18. I believe Buddy’s decline stems from the neglect he endured in his early years: no sterilization, no vaccines, no protection.

He fought to survive. And in that fight, he contracted FIV.

Buddy’s Nutrition: Supporting a Fragile Body with Holistic Care

As Buddy’s health declined, we knew his nutrition had to do more than just sustain him it had to support his immune system, gut health, and overall vitality. Prescription kidney diets didn’t feel right for him. Instead, we chose a holistic approach that honors his individuality and needs.

We feed Buddy Solid Gold Indigo Moon, a gluten- and grain-free dry kibble crafted for kittens and adult cats alike. It’s ideal for active or immunocompromised cats thanks to its:

• 42% crude protein from cage-free chicken and whole eggs, supporting muscle tone and metabolism
• Low carbohydrate and high fiber content to ease digestion
• Prebiotics and live probiotics that nurture gut flora and bolster immune function
• Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, antioxidants, and superfoods that promote coat health and cellular resilience

This food has made a visible difference. Buddy’s coat is no longer dull. He’s gained weight. He’s more alert and engaged. For a cat with FIV and kidney disease, that’s a small miracle.

We also supplement his diet with Wellness canned food, which includes prebiotics and probiotics to further support his digestion and immunity. Together, these choices reflect our belief that nutrition is not just about survival it’s about dignity, comfort, and love.

Buddy may sway when he walks. His depth perception may be off. But he’s still here. Still loved. And still fighting.

Why We Tell Buddy’s Story

I will never understand why people abandon their cats when they move. Why they think a housecat will know where to go for food, shelter, or how to protect themselves from predators. Buddy’s story is a reminder: abandonment is not just cruel it’s catastrophic.

Housecats don’t know how to survive on the streets. They don’t know how to fight off predators or disease. And they shouldn’t have to.

Buddy deserved better. Now, he has it.