Have you heard of Buddy the cat? His story has everything—survival, resilience, and a newfound mission to help others.
Once just a friendly neighborhood cat in Philadelphia, Buddy's life took a horrific turn when two teenage boys set their dogs on him. A surveillance camera caught the brutal attack, and by the time a good Samaritan intervened, Buddy was critically injured.
Rushed to the BluePearl emergency veterinary facility, Buddy was in dire condition—bleeding internally with a dangerously high heart rate. The vets weren’t sure he would make it.
But Buddy had other plans.
A Viral Outpouring of Love
The attack video, though later removed due to its graphic nature, went viral. Donations and messages of support poured into the Pennsylvania SPCA (PSPCA) from all over the world—Europe, Asia, Australia, and beyond. People everywhere were rooting for Buddy’s recovery.
And recover he did. Not only did Buddy pull through, but he also raised an astonishing $100,000. PSPCA spokeswoman Gillian Kocher told The Philadelphia Inquirer, “This is the biggest outpouring of support we have had for a single animal in the last decade. There is nothing that comes close to it.”
The Buddy Fund: Helping Others in Need
With so much money raised, the PSPCA created the Buddy Fund to help other abused animals, providing medical care and assisting in prosecuting abusers. (Thankfully, Buddy’s attackers turned themselves in.)
Meanwhile, Buddy was busy living his best life—lounging on his favorite white blanket and enjoying the love he fought so hard to survive for.
The PSPCA even launched adorable “Save Every Buddy” T-shirts and stickers, raising over $30,000 in additional funds. Buddy had become more than a cat—he was a movement.
A Happy Ending for a Heroic Cat
Buddy’s foster mom, Katie Venanzi—the BluePearl vet who cared for him the night of the attack—fell in love with him and hopes to make him a permanent family member. He’s already best friends with his new brother, Teddy.
Despite his quiet life now, Buddy remains a social media sensation. His blog and videos—often just him playing with toys—bring in thousands of adoring fans daily. The PSPCA even has a bulletin board dedicated to his fan mail.
Kocher summed it up perfectly: “Out of something pretty horrible can come so much good. Despite bad things happening, there is still so much good in the world.”
Buddy’s story started with tragedy, but thanks to kindness and compassion, it’s become a tale of triumph. And we couldn’t be happier for him.