01/29/2026
Addiction has far reaching impacts. We share this story, not only to help find a forever home for Crackers, but to illuminate the impact addiction has on all of our lives, and the lives of those we love...even our furry loved ones. Please share and support Riggi Rescue.
I (Crystal) want to share a very special journey I've been on with a special cat that has taught me so much, tested my patience, kept me humble, and never let me get too comfortable in what I'm doing!
Her name is Crackers (originally Crackhead).
She was 1 of 3 cats that was living in a car with their owner, who had overdosed.
We were asked to intake the cats, and we did, knowing the likelihood of drug detox was needed. Sadly, it's som**hing we have experience with.
All 3 cats had a difficult 3 days of detox, which indicates their exposure was crack co***ne or m**h.
Animals with addiction will lick windows and surfaces between their owner using and living in a car, their blood concentration was high. On day 4 of rehab, the other 2 cats started eating and ready for pets/interaction.
However, poor Crackers turned violent. Not your typical hiss or swipe. She was full on trying to leap on me to bite!
Week 2, the other two cats went for vetting, and a few days after that, they were transferred out and received new homes.
Crackers continued the unwanted behavior. All my tricks failed. My confidence shattered.
I tried earning her trust for another week with no improvement.
So then we thought maybe it's hormonal and she went for spay and vaccinations. A week after that, still no improvement.
I contacted Dr. Meg, who had been monitoring our progress. I was in tears as I wrote the words "Doc, we never had euthanized for behavior before, but I'm worried Crackhead may be our first."
I couldn't believe I wrote that. She was given a clean bill of health, was vetted, sober, I've exhausted all my ideas along other ideas shared with me. My anxiety was so high because over the weeks of trying to help Crackers, so many other cats missed out on the opportunity for help. I questioned if it was fair to Crackers and to other cats needing medical rehab at this point.
Chris said, "I see it in her. Don't quit yet!"
He started interacting with her, and like most other ladies, she loved him.
She started to soften and let us pet her.
Per progress continued to improve, and we were thrilled! She blossomed and became the house warden! Making everyone behave.
Chris had left for 3 days in Cincinnati at the end of October. Crackers stopped eating and started to fail. I couldn't get her to eat, and I had to syringe feed.
I saw how sensitive she is and thought back to a few months back when she came in and now I could see how the changes she experienced mentally and physically could've made her so scared she felt as if she was fighting for her life!
My heart broke, and as soon as Chris came back home, Crackers started to improve.
Last week, Crackers fell very ill, and we were worried, but because of her trust with me, I was able to take her to a vet and get treated without an incident. She is on the mend now, and this pic is from tonight.
We don't know what the future holds for finding Crackers a home. We may test her going to a foster to be sure she does OK, and if so, we will find her a family that will love her forever. If the foster attempt fails, and she doesn't cope well, we will welcome her home as one of our own.
Crackers has fought for her life, happiness, place to belong, re-trust humans again and has made me slow down and remember why I've chosen to dedicate my life to help the voiceless. Thank you Crackers I love you! ❤️
