Marty McFly: A Sick Kitten, a Race Against Time, and a Forever Home

In rural Orleans County, the Cat by Cat Inc. Medina team is often the only lifeline for cats and kittens facing serious medical emergencies. With few resources available for community cats, calls for help frequently come down to one simple truth: without intervention, these cats may not survive.

That was the case for a tiny orange tabby kitten later named Marty McFly.

A kind homeowner had been seeing Marty in the woods behind her house. Over time, she noticed he was growing weaker and thinner by the day. Something was clearly wrong. She could spot a troubling wound on his neck—but Marty was too frightened to let anyone get close, let alone help him. Knowing she couldn’t turn away, she reached out to Cat by Cat’s Medina team and pleaded for assistance.

Volunteers Shannon and Ellen went out to assess the situation, and what they found was heartbreaking. Marty was severely emaciated and appeared to be suffering from cuterebra—bot fly larvae embedded beneath the skin. If that diagnosis was correct, time was critically short.

Traps were set immediately, including a drop trap, but Marty evaded them that first day. Before leaving, the team carefully closed the traps for the night and left the homeowner with detailed instructions to reopen them first thing in the morning.

Thankfully, Marty made the right choice.

The next day, he entered the trap—and the urgency of his condition became painfully clear. Marty wasn’t suffering from just one cuterebra, but two, both lodged in his tiny neck. He was rushed straight to Cat by Cat’s trusted veterinarian, where he received lifesaving treatment and compassionate care.

And then came the best part of all.

One of the veterinary technicians caring for Marty fell completely in love with him. This sweet, resilient ginger kitten—who had already endured so much—was adopted on the spot.

We may never know how Marty came to be alone and struggling in the woods, but we do know how his story ends: safe, cherished, and wrapped in the warmth of a forever home.

Marty’s rescue is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when compassion, quick action, and teamwork come together. We are deeply grateful to the observant homeowner, the Medina team, the veterinary staff, and every person who played a role in saving this remarkable little life.