Meet Russell, a cat who has been a patient at the Animal Emergency Hospital and Urgent Care Clinic in Raleigh, North Carolina, since early 2014. He survived a fire that took his home and left him with severe burns, The Dodo reports.
“He was pretty far gone, and we didn’t know if he would make it,” clinic staffer Alan Wilford said. “He has taken a long time, but he has made a miraculous recovery.”
Now, he snuggles with a fawn named Darla, as well as other animals and staffers at the hospital. He doesn't mind one bit. Staffers even have to keep him out of exam rooms just so he can get some rest. The hospital has been sharing some of Russell's exploits on its Facebook page.
“I think he helps other animals feel at ease. We’re a clinic, so I’m sure he helps alleviate their stress,” Wilford said. “Most cats are independent and aloof, but he likes to be with other animals. And it’s not all about him. He really enjoys giving companionship to others.”
Wilford added that Russell may not ever be well enough to go back to a regular home life, but that he’s found a home at the hospital.
“Everyone wants to see him, and he just eats it up,” Russell said. “I don’t know if he’d like being a normal house cat again, so we’d be happy to keep him as our clinic mascot.”
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