Good Samaritans noticed a cat on the side of the road and stopped to help. The little feline was unable to move and was clearly in poor health.

Penelope, as she was later named, was rushed to St. Clair County Animal Control with frostbite on her ears and paws and a severe upper respiratory infection. The poor feline is estimated to be just over a year old and life has not been kind to her. She has been struggling to find enough food as she was extremely thin, but she is now in good hands.

Photo: St. Clair County Animal Control

The shelter is making sure she gets nutritious food and all the care she needs to recover. The initial thought was that Penelope was hit by a car and that was why she couldn't walk. However, Dr. Meadows from Animal Hospital of Lakeport discovered during an examination that the sweet cat could walk but with great difficulty due to a rare genetic condition in cats - luxating patella in two legs.

But there is hope of her walking without pain.

She will need surgery, which is costly, and then 8-12 weeks of recovery which will include at-home physical therapy to help build muscle in her legs.

A medical foster has already been found who will care for Penelope until she is ready to find her forever home.

Photo: St. Clair County Animal Control

The Michigan shelter reached out to Greater Good Charities' Emergency Animal Medical Fund to help cover Penelope's surgery and medical expenses. Emergency Animal Medical Fund was started to provide grants to animal shelters and rescues to cover the costs of medical care to save lives of shelter pets.

You can help sweet Penelope heal and find her forever home. Your support will not only give Penelope the hope to keep fighting, but your donations will help cover her costly surgery and the ongoing treatment she will need.

Help us meet our goal of $1,500 to help Penelope walk and play.