A Trap, A Twist, and a New Beginning

Sometimes, the smallest detours lead to the most meaningful outcomes.

A few months ago, Dakin’s Foster Care Coordinator, Megan Tolpa, set a humane trap in her yard, hoping to help an outdoor cat she had been seeing nearby. The first animal that ventured into the trap was a feral male (not who she was seeking) who Megan assisted. She reset the trap and waited. Next came a possum (absolutely not who she was seeking) who was then released. The third animal in the trap was a cat; not the intended one, but a cat who needed help just as much.

She was a sleek, striking black kitty. Though beautiful, it was immediately clear she had endured a great deal. Her right front leg had been traumatically amputated above the wrist and had healed on its own, leaving her to navigate the world as best she could.

Megan brought her to Dakin Humane Society, where it was determined that she had already been spayed, and she was named Jamison. Her microchip scan revealed something remarkable—she had a person in New York. The phone number was dialed, and Jamison’s person answered. She was amazed and relieved to hear that Jamison was alive and shared her incredible story.

She had forgotten to update the microchip company with her current address. She had been living in New York when she adopted Jamison and another cat, but then moved to a home in Massachusetts (that was in Megan’s neighborhood) that she shared with roommates. She then made plans to move to Florida, but before she left, both her cats had gotten outside. One was eventually found, but Jamison had vanished, and was surviving on her own until she wandered into Megan’s trap in search of food.

Megan told Jamison's person that the kitty's injury had happened during her time on the streets. Despite everything, Jamison had persevered—but the way her leg had healed meant she was living with discomfort and at risk for ongoing medical issues.

Jamison's person was given the choice to take her pet back, which would have meant transporting her to Florida. She loves Jamison deeply, and making the decision was very difficult, but she felt that moving Jamison so far south would have been more for her - and not for Jamison’s - best interest. In the meantime, someone close to Megan was willing and excited to adopt Jamison, which eased her person's mind, as did Megan’s promise to provide ongoing updates about the cat’s progress.

With permission from Jamison's person, Dakin’s veterinary team stepped in to give Jamison the care she deserved. Under the skilled hands of Dr. Helton, Jamison underwent surgery to fully amputate the injured limb, along with some much-needed dental extractions. It was a fresh start—one that would allow her to move forward without pain.

Throughout it all, Megan kept Jamison's person updated, offering reassurance that, even from afar, her beloved cat was safe and receiving compassionate care. After several weeks of rest, healing, and plenty of gentle attention, Jamison was ready for the next chapter of her life.

That chapter began in January, when Megan’s friend welcomed her home. With the new beginning came a new name—Andarna, inspired by a fictional dragon with an injured wing, whose resilience mirrored her own. Now, Andarna is thriving. She’s affectionate, talkative, and clearly at ease—no longer surviving, but truly living.

Oh, and Megan did eventually humanely trap and assist that outdoor cat that she had originally intended to help. What began as the “wrong” cat in a trap became exactly the right rescue. Because sometimes, the ones we aren’t expecting are the ones who need us most—and the ones whose stories stay with us forever.