EDGEWATER — A group of three young cats who were left to freeze outside after their owner moved away and left them outside are recovering well, despite extreme frostbite.
And they are looking for a permanent family.
In true "holiday miracle" fashion, workers at Felines & Canines animal shelter in Edgewater said the year-old trio was brought to them Christmas Eve by a neighbor who discovered the freezing cats huddling together on her porch.
Now called Icy, Frosty and Elmo, the brothers are available for adoption for free at the 6379 N. Paulina St. animal facility thanks to a donation made to the shelter on the cats' behalf.
"The fact that these brothers stuck together in the bitter cold and didn't leave each other's sides, despite being terrified and starving, is a testament to how bonded they are," the shelter said on its Facebook page. "They are just the most loving, kind-hearted cats who deserve a chance at a long, happy life together."
The cats' commitment to survival paid off, but not without a cost — frostbite damage caused most of one of Elmo's ears to fall off, as well as some clumps of hair "where the cold got them most."
"It's all progress towards their body's healing," the shelter said, adding that the trio were "very happy, loving, healthy cats."
In all, Felines & Canines, a neighborhood non-profit, adopted out 985 cats and dogs throughout 2016.
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