Their cat miraculously survived an 11-story fall

A family from the Saint-Laurent borough, in Montreal, still can’t believe that their beloved cat miraculously survived an 11-story fall and escaped with a few fractures.

“When my mother woke me up to tell me that Luigi had fallen from the balcony, I didn’t believe it, I thought it was a nightmare,” recalls Eva Abdul Khalek, the young owner of Luigi, a cat. servant aged two and a half years.

On September 17, the black and white feline slipped between the legs of its owners when they entered after spending part of the evening on their balcony.

Shortly after falling asleep, Manal Chehayeb, Eva’s mother, wakes up in a panic.

“I heard a big noise! I stood up suddenly and asked my husband to help me find Luigi in the apartment. We searched everywhere, but we couldn’t find him anywhere,” explains the 42-year-old woman.

It was at this moment that armed with a flashlight, M^me Chehayeb went out onto her balcony located at 11^e floor.

“I aimed my flashlight at the ground, just to be sure, and that’s when I saw glowing eyes staring at me,” she exclaims.

Their kitty, adopted a year earlier, had just fallen 40 meters and thanks to the huge fir tree which helped cushion the impact, he was still alive.

Emergency

The family quickly went to an emergency veterinary hospital located in Lachine, while the cat was panting and defecating on itself. On site, they were told that the amount of care the cat needed could exceed $10,000.

“I wanted my cat to be saved at all costs, I kept telling my mother that we would find a solution for the money later!” says Eva.

The next morning, the family learned that he had finally gotten better and would have to undergo hip surgery.

Contacted on this subject, the Order of Veterinary Physicians of Quebec (OMVQ) believes that Luigi was particularly lucky in his misadventure.

“It’s still exceptional that a cat survives a fall of this magnitude. […]as high as that, to my knowledge, it’s the first time I’ve heard that,” explains Gaston Rioux, president of the Order of Veterinary Physicians of Quebec.

More than $7700

As the family did not have medical insurance for their animal, a sum of $7,791 had to be paid to cover veterinary costs.

“We didn’t even know that pet insurance existed, but now, no matter what it costs, we want to get one,” concludes Eva.

The young cat continues to do well with his family, but follow-up appointments are expected.

To cover part of the costs, the family set up a crowdfunding campaign, but to date only a few hundred dollars have been raised.

Insuring your pet: a decision to think about

Several cat and dog insurance companies exist in Canada, including Trupanion, Pet Plus Us and Pet Secure.

The packages offered vary depending on the breed of the animal, the age and the coverage desired.

Pet insurance prices vary greatly. You have to pay around $30 per month for a basic plan, but some plans can go up to more than $200 per month, depending on the coverage chosen.

An amount associated with the annual deductible is also applicable and this can be a few tens of dollars, but it can also exceed the $1000 mark, depending on the treatments required.

The Order of Veterinary Physicians of Quebec (OMVQ) strongly suggests finding out about the needs and health issues typically linked to certain breeds of cats or dogs before adopting an animal.

The OMVQ observes, however, that owners whose animals are insured are often more comfortable with further diagnostics, which can sometimes prevent more serious illnesses.

Note that pre-existing illnesses are usually excluded from insurance coverage. Many packages also exclude basic exams, vaccinations and dental care.

We also remind you that it is possible to discuss with your veterinarian the different options and insurance needs depending on your animal.

To avoid unpleasant surprises, it is also suggested to have an “unforeseen” account for your pet from which to draw in the event of an accident or illness.