This Minnesota Cat Is Now Living His Best Life Thanks To Kindness

After watching the video about Hercules the Cat, I'm starting to believe that cats really do have nine lives.

Meet Hercules, a cat model for Target.

UNBELIEVABLE RESCUE

Back in June of 2022, a car packed full of cats was found by bystanders at a Chisago County rest stop. When I saw the photo, I was horrified. It was smoldering hot outside; 94 degrees, and the sheriff's department was contacted.

47 cats were rescued by the Animal Humane Society, but one cat escaped. That cat was Hercules.

A month later, a cat that was drenched in urine, infested with maggots, and a jaw fracture, was found near death. That cat is now known as Hercules. The maggots were so bad they had eaten through his cheek.

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Luckily for Hercules, Dr. Nicole Perreault from the St. Francis Vet Clinic in Isanti saved him. Through multiple surgeries, many on his jaw, which was held together with surgical thread and blue buttons, he survived.

After saving Hercules, Dr. Nicole asked her friend Jill LeBrun, a registered nurse, if she would foster Hercules back to health.

"He just looks like a big ham, and he was a hot mess and it was love at first sight," Jill said.

You might notice that Hercules' tongue hangs out a lot. That's because of his fractured jaw, but an animal talent agency was looking for cats with unusual faces, so Jill sent them a picture. They wanted Hercules for the photo shoot, and apparently, he did a great job. So much so, that they wanted him back.

Now, he's been called back for a second interview and has made $100 dollars from his first gig. I'm so glad this story had a happy ending, but I'm horrified of the pain and suffering Hercules had to go through.

Watch the video below to see Hercules in action.