WCHS science teacher Traci Hamilton with Willow.

WARSAW — Animal lovers are a unique group of people who often times go above and beyond to try and save the life of an animal others would overlook. Warsaw Community High School science teacher Traci Hamilton, who lives in Fort Wayne but has worked at WCHS for 25 years, fits in that definition as she has taken on the overwhelming challenge of trying to save a small stray kitten’s life.

The kitten, named Willow, was one of three kittens born to a feral mother around June 1 near Golden Lake in Steuben County. While checking up on the litter, Hamilton found Willow in respiratory distress. “It was like she was using every muscle in her body to get air into her lungs,” recalls Hamilton.

Hamilton decided to take in Willow.  Her two siblings were taken in by a neighbor of Hamilton.

Hamilton rushed the small kitten to a 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital where it was determined Willow had a bad case of pneumonia in both lungs. “The vet said she had a 50 percent chance of survival and I might be asking for a lifetime of vet visits as she could have permanent damage,” states Hamilton. “She was still trying to eat and drink so the vet said as long as she was doing that, she was still fighting to live.”

With little Willow still fighting, Hamilton refused to give up. Hamilton began reaching out to friends on Aug. 1, posting a GoFundMe link to try and help offset some of Willow’s veterinary costs and help provide longterm care. The goal was set to $5,000.

“I have never used a donation account and asking for help was extremely difficult, but I know it is for Willow not me,” says Hamilton.

Hamilton has already sought veterinary care for Willow numerous times, with Willow sometimes needing overnight oxygen treatments. Bills are slowly racking up but Hamilton, who has put all the costs on a credit card, has not been deterred.

“Willow’s bills have been and continue to [be a] strain, but saving her life means so much to me. This tiny girl – she weighed 1.2 lb when I took her in – has had a hold on my heart since I first looked in her eyes. I have made life changes to help pay her bills and it is all worth it,” says Hamilton.

Hamilton has two other cats at home: Chloe, who was rescued as a kitten, and Stevie Wonder who was left blind due to neglect and abandoned in a parking lot.

“Willow is a little pistol when she feels well; I call her the tiny terrorist because both older cats run for cover. She loves Stevie Wonder and follows him everywhere. I am hoping that if she can overcome her health problems she can become an assistant for him. He gets lost in the house and cries so she can go rescue him.”

To read more about Willow’s story, see updates or donate, visit Hamilton’s GoFundMe.