It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Alfred.
Alfred came into our care just yesterday, found as a stray and surrendered to an animal hospital. From the very beginning, his condition was critical. X-rays revealed devastating findings — an obstruction lodged in his esophagus, another in his stomach, and a pneumothorax, meaning air was trapped inside his chest cavity.
Knowing time was not on his side, Alfred was rushed to West Hills Specialty Hospital, where he was stabilized overnight in preparation for emergency surgery. Doctors warned us that the air in his chest strongly suggested it was leaking through a hole in his esophagus — a sign that often points to a catastrophic outcome.
Still, we held onto hope.
Early this morning, with prayers in our hearts, we gave our blessing for the team to proceed. We hoped — desperately — that the pneumothorax might somehow be unrelated.
But then the phone rang.
When it rings that soon, your heart sinks. You know what’s coming. It’s the call no rescuer ever wants to receive.
Doctors explained that when they inserted the scope to retrieve the obstruction, the camera passed directly into Alfred’s chest cavity. His esophagus had multiple perforations. One section was so severely damaged and destroyed that it could not be repaired or closed.
The injuries were not survivable.
And Alfred left us.
Every year, we save more than 1,000 animals, yet it never — ever — gets easier to lose one. Alfred was only with us for a matter of hours, but his absence has left a silence among us today. A silence so heavy that only tears can quiet it.
He deserved more.
He deserved to be cherished, protected, loved, and cared for — watched over like a baby, safe and wanted.
Our only comfort is knowing that in his final moments, Alfred was not alone. He was surrounded by people who cared deeply, who tried everything, and who loved him when it mattered most.
We are grateful to every person who fought for him.
Rest gently, Alfred. You were loved. 🕊️
