With love, medicine, and sheer willpower, Buckle endured months of injections and slowly regained the use of his legs after developing neurological FIP.
BULVERDE, Texas — Our “Forgotten Friends” series showcases a dog or cat each week that has spent a lengthy time at an area shelter, just waiting for someone to notice them and bring them home to love.
This week’s Forgotten Friend is Buckle, a cat who ended up at the Bulverde Area Humane Society (BAHS) as a stray in June of 2024. This sweet tabby grew into a healthy, playful kitten in the loving care of fosters Linda and Kat and was adopted just after Christmas—happy and whole. But only weeks later, tragedy struck.
Buckle was diagnosed with Neuro FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis), a disease that was once considered fatal. Within days of his diagnosis, he was paralyzed from the ribs down. His future looked heartbreakingly short.
But Buckle had something powerful on his side—his cat village. His fosters, Kat and Linda, BAHS’s determined vet Dr. Leslie Degen, as well as several compounding pharmacies, and countless cat people near and far came together for him. With love, medicine, and sheer willpower, Buckle endured three months of injections and slowly regained the use of his legs.
Buckle’s road to recovery has not been an easy one. He still struggles with incontinence and has been diagnosed with diabetes.
At one point, the shelter even had to consider humane euthanasia. But Buckle’s village refused to give up.
“He still greets his foster by standing on his hind legs to hug her, burrows his head in her arms, and showers foster kittens with gentle love like a big brother,” said BAHS staff. “His spirit shines too brightly to be let go.”
Buckle is now about 14 months old and currently in foster care, but would love a home of his very own.
He loves to be around other cats, especially loving to bathe the kittens with him in foster care. He tolerates dogs, and would probably enjoy having a canine brother or sister, as long as they are gentle with him.
He loves attention and playtime with string toys and feather wands.
“When he’s been allowed to visit the other foster kitties, he will play, cuddle and love on them like a big brother,” said BAH staff.
His blood work has ups and downs, but has not otherwise impacted his strength or behavior. There are small signs that the incontinence may be improving, and he has awareness that wasn’t there before. But he still has a ways to go to get into the litter box when necessary.
Buckle would do best with an experienced cat family who have the patience necessary to take care of his special needs. He adores being petted and cuddled with and seems to like most people he encounters.
He is current on his vaccinations, flea preventions and has already been neutered.
He has been diagnosed with feline diabetes that appears to be responsive to medication and diet, so that treatment will need to continue. Shelter staff, as well as his veterinarian, have hope that the incontinence will improve as there are small advances in warning signals.
“Buckle is proof that it truly takes a cat village—and that love can overcome the unthinkable,” said BAHS staff.
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Buckle went from paralyzed to purr-fectly imperfect | Forgotten Friends
Buckle may be partially paralyzed, but he’s purr-fectly imperfect—a survivor who loves wholeheartedly.
“He is playful, affectionate, and endlessly resilient,” said BAHS staff. “He may need a family willing to navigate his special needs, but in return, they will receive the purest form of love.”
If you are interested in adding Buckle into your family, please email bahshelter@yahoo.com.
The fee to adopt Buckle would be only $85, which covers the cost of his healthcare, all vaccinations, flea preventative and more.
Their adoption procedure starts with filling out an Adoption Contract, which can be downloaded here:
Adoption Contract DOG (pdf) – Normal adoption Fee $200
Adoption Contract CAT (pdf) – Adoption Fee $85
Your new friend will be ready for their new home after review by one of their Adoption Counselors.
All of their animals are spayed/neutered prior to adoption and have been tested for heartworm or feline leukemia / AIDS. They all have their age appropriate vaccinations. All puppies, dogs & kittens are microchipped.
If you’re considering adopting an animal who will join one already in your home, BAHS encourages “Meet and Greets.” Visiting dogs must be spayed or neutered and have proof of current vaccinations. Talk to a shelter staff member about scheduling your “Meet and Greet” session before coming out with your dog.
And don’t forget BAHS now offers a one week foster to adopt trial period to see if they will work out in their new home.
The shelter is located at 3563 Kingsnake in Bulverde and they are open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information on adopting pets, please visit their website.
BAHS will be hosting a craft fair and “Trick or Treat for the Cats and Dogs” on 25 October from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Bring treats and toys for the animals and put them in the buckets attached to their kennels. It’s also a chance to visit with the animals available for adoption, and give them some love.
BAHS hosts a Reading to the Cats and Dogs event four times a year. The next one will be held on November 10. It’s an opportunity to grab your favorite book and come out to read to their animals from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m.
All ages are welcome and the pets love it! There is no sign up necessary, all you need to do is arrive the day of the event with a book and closed toe shoes. After you get there, meet with them for a quick orientation before going off to read aloud to the dogs and cats. It’s a great chance for kids to brush up on their reading skills while making the animals feel loved. Everyone benefits. Also great for older folks as well. Connect with animals while keeping your brain active.
If you’d like to donate to the shelter CLICK HERE.
They have a complete list of items in which they are always in need of right here.
If you know of a Forgotten Friend that has been overlooked and is still looking for a “furr-ever” home, contact Andrea at acarden@kens5.com.
Sweetie is also still available for adoption at BAHS. Check out her story.