When Horton and another dog were found by animal control officers in Kansas City on January 19th, the two dogs were unresponsive on the floor of an abandoned, freezing home. It was one of coldest days of winter the city had seen so far with the high temperature only expected to reach 12°F (-11°C).
The dogs were rushed to the shelter where Horton’s companion sadly did not make it. But KC Pet Project’s vet clinic team “jumped into action to save Horton’s precious life.”
They set to work to warm his internal temperature and revive him. “Hair dryers, blankets, and even slippers were placed on Horton to help bring his body temperature back to a normal level,” KC Pet Project wrote on the TikTok video they shared of his rescue.
@kcpetproject Horton was found unresponsive and abandoned in a home during the coldest part of our winter. He arrived at our shelter on January 19th when the high was expected to reach only 12 degrees after he was rescued by our Animal Service Officers. He was found with another dog who unfortunately did not make it. After being rushed to our shelter, our vet clinic team jumped into action to save Horton's precious life. Hair dryers, blankets, and even slippers were placed on Horton to help bring his body temperature back to a normal level. Little by little we started to see signs of life. From slightly blinking his eyes, to making eye contact with one of our vets as she spoke words of encouragement to him…he was showing us that he was ready and willing to fight. Before we knew it, Horton eagerly ate wet food that we provided to him showing that he was fully conscious even though he was still very weak. A vet tech carefully carried him to the floor where he could be closely monitored for the rest of the day. Just a few days later…Horton is showing his sweet personality and enjoying the affection and care that our vet clinic is giving him. Horton is on his way to a full recovery and we will fight for him just as he fought for his own life. Our Animal Services Division is pursues criminal charges at the highest level. #animalshelter #shelterdog #shelterpet #vetclinic #vetcliniclife #kansascity #animalservices ♬ Sad Scene BGM Piano Instrument(313618) – HomeMadeGarbage
As they rubbed Horton’s face and blew the warm air on him, he slowly comes back to life.
“Little by little we started to see signs of life,” they wrote. “From slightly blinking his eyes, to making eye contact with one of our vets as she spoke words of encouragement to him…he was showing us that he was ready and willing to fight.”
In the video, Horton wakes up on the hospital table. When Horton looks at the veterinarian cradling his head with his beautiful amber eyes you can see how grateful he is.
His rescuers continued, “Before we knew it, Horton eagerly ate wet food that we provided to him showing that he was fully conscious even though he was still very weak. A vet tech carefully carried him to the floor where he could be closely monitored for the rest of the day.”
Horton still has a long way to go to recover full but it’s clear from the video that he’s eager to heal.
“Just a few days later…Horton is showing his sweet personality and enjoying the affection and care that our vet clinic is giving him,” KC Pet Project wrote of how Horton is doing. “Horton is on his way to a full recovery and we will fight for him just as he fought for his own life.”
By continuing to fight for him, KC Pet Project revealed that their Animal Services Division is pursuing criminal charges at the highest level against the people who left Horton to die in the freezing home.
The KC Pet Project cares for over 16,000 animals a year. They work hard to save and protect dogs like Horton every day. They also are dedicated to finding the pets in their care forever homes. To support their efforts visit their website here.
Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links.