With more than 15 inches of precipitation so far this year, there’s no doubt this spring will bring out swarms of mosquitoes, experts say.Fort Wayne – On Wednesday, Lynne Ticen of Fort Wayne got a call at work notifying her she had won the lottery.
On Thursday she went to Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control to claim her prize: Sparkle, a 6-month-old, black-and-white, shorthaired kitten.
Sparkle was an abused kitten found in a yard in the 4500 block of Foxgrove Avenue, near West Washington Center and Huguenard roads, after someone heard her crying. Her paws, whiskers and fur were badly burned, said Amy Jo Sites, deputy director.
Ticen said she followed Sparkle’s story and knew she could offer the kitten a good home.
“I was just hoping I would be the lucky one,” she said.
Sparkle was presented at a small party to celebrate her adoption and four-month recovery on Thursday.
Ticen, a self-proclaimed animal lover, was one of 12 interested parties who applied to adopt Sparkle. She was chosen from a lottery after her adoption application was approved.
Sparkle the cat snuggled with her new owner, her two white front paws placed on Ticen’s chest, their faces close. Sparkle eyed media cameras suspiciously as they approached for shots of the pair. She was placed in her crate, so she didn’t get too stressed out.
“I feel honored and privileged,” Ticen said of the opportunity to offer Sparkle a new, loving home. She said Sparkle will be one of four cats in the house.
Ticen thanked all those who had cared for Sparkle, including two foster families, during her recovery.
Sites said because of Sparkle’s abuse and young age, her immune system was compromised, and she developed a skin condition that also required treatment. But her burns have healed, and her whiskers grown back.
“It’s amazing the transformation she’s made,” Sites said.
Matthew Jerome, 22, was charged with two felony counts of torturing or mutilating an animal and one misdemeanor count of cruelty to an animal in the case.
His trial is scheduled for Jan. 15.
