05/17/2026
Yesterday was one of the scariest and most heartbreaking days we have experienced at Jake’s Legacy Animal Haven. 💔
We want to make this post not only to update everyone on Baby Benson, but also to EDUCATE other cat owners and rescues on a danger we truly never thought could happen to one of our own furr babies.
Yesterday morning our cameras showed Benson perfectly fine at 8:57am drinking water and moving around normally in the rescue room. Around 10am one of our cameras captured a photo showing the cat tower tilted strangely, but because we were away from the room and actively working around the house, we had no idea what had happened yet.
At approximately 11:45am while passing out the wet food cans everyone loves so much, we found Benson trapped in the cat tower in a way we still cannot fully believe happened.
Somehow, the hanging ball/string attached to the cat tree had wrapped around his back toes. We believe Benson panicked trying to free himself and spun repeatedly, causing the string to tighten more and more around his left hind paw. During this struggle, some of the thin cloth material covering part of the cheaper style cat tower had also become involved in the twisting.
The circulation to his paw had been cut off from how tightly the string wrapped around his toes. It was wrapped so severely that we could not simply untangle him. We had to physically CUT him away from the tower just to get him free enough to rush him to the emergency vet.
When we arrived, they had us check in and eventually took him back for vitals and had to continue cutting away string from his left hind paw because it was still twisted tightly around his toes.
Our poor baby was in agony.
He cried the entire drive to the emergency vet and much of the visit while they worked on him. Even while in pain, Benson still laid his head on me and purred when being comforted during his exam. That’s just the kind of loving boy he is. 💔
After X-rays, we received some surprisingly hopeful news:
• His toes do NOT appear crushed.
• There MAY be a possible hairline fracture involving the left stifle area (the joint above the ankle — similar to a cat’s knee).
• Because hairline fractures can sometimes be difficult to immediately identify, he will need repeat X-rays in 5 days.
• His paw is significantly swollen from the circulation loss and trauma.
Benson is now on pain medication, anti-inflammatory medication, and STRICT crate rest for at least a week while we monitor his healing closely.
At this time, Baby Benson is NO LONGER available for adoption while he recovers.
We also want to use this experience to warn others about some cat towers — especially some of the less expensive styles commonly sold online and in retail stores that use thin hanging toy strings and thinner fabric coverings.
PLEASE inspect your cat towers regularly.
If the hanging ball/string begins thinning, fraying, stretching, or loosening:
✂️ CUT IT OFF IMMEDIATELY.
If you have extremely active, playful cats like Benson, please be extra cautious.
Benson is larger than his siblings, incredibly playful, and absolutely loves climbing and running through his towers. We truly NEVER thought something like this could happen to one of our babies. We always have cameras in our rescue rooms and still this happened in a short window of time.
For older kittens and adult cats, we personally now strongly recommend investing in the more sturdy, carpeted, heavy-duty cat towers whenever possible. The more expensive towers are often built much safer and sturdier for larger, stronger, highly active cats.
This entire situation was devastating emotionally and also resulted in an unexpected emergency veterinary bill of over $800 completely out of pocket.
Most importantly, we are just thankful Benson is still here with us today.
Today he is resting comfortably, receiving lots of love, medications, monitoring, and cuddles while he heals. Please keep our sweet cuddle bug in your thoughts and prayers as we continue helping him recover. 🐾💗
If sharing our story helps even ONE family avoid this happening to their beloved pet, then reliving this painful experience publicly is worth it.
♥️ The last two photos are of Bensons Momma and 2 siblings who stay near his crate. He’s never alone. They’re always by his side. ♥️
If anyone would like to make a donation to help us continue providing medical care for the rescue kitties currently in our care, it would truly mean so much to both us and them. 💗
Coming up soon, Momma Penelope and her 7 babies will all need veterinary care including wellness checkups, vaccinations, and eventually spays/neuters as her kittens are getting closer and closer to being ready for their future forever homes.
As a small home-based rescue, every donation — no matter the size — helps us continue giving these babies the care they deserve. Thank you endlessly for supporting our little rescue family. 🐾
