When a group caring for a stray cat colony noticed a gentle orange cat struggling with a badly injured leg, their hearts broke for him.
He was clearly in pain, and believing they were sparing him from further suffering, they brought him to the vet to be euthanized.
But veterinarian Dr. Matt McGlasson saw something entirely different.
“My staff knows I have a soft spot for cats — we actually rescued and rehabilitated four kittens during COVID while our kids were doing school from home,” Dr. McGlasson told The Dodo. “They asked the client to sign the cat over to me.”
The moment he examined the cat, Dr. McGlasson knew he wasn’t ready to give up on him. Instead of ending his life, he committed to healing him — and helping him find a real home.
With the help of his TikTok community, the sweet orange boy was given the name Nemo.
While Nemo’s severely damaged leg ultimately had to be amputated, the surgery went smoothly, and staff rallied around him as he adjusted to life on three legs.
As he healed, it became clear Nemo couldn’t be more grateful.
“He’s the nicest cat you’d ever meet,” Dr. McGlasson said. “He loves everyone.”
Although Dr. McGlasson already had several cats of his own and didn’t think he could adopt another, fate stepped in: One of the vet technicians fell completely in love with Nemo and welcomed him home for good.
“He’s doing amazing,” Dr. McGlasson said. “He loves being a house cat, and he gets around great on three legs.”
Nemo arrived at the clinic expecting the end — but thanks to kindness, intuition and a vet who believed in second chances, he got the new beginning he deserved.
