Critically-injured cat found abandoned near dumpster in Waltham is recovering

One-year-old Gingerbread was found with a broken jaw.

A critically-injured cat was found abandoned near a dumpster in Waltham on Friday before being rescued by Animal Control and receiving surgery, the MSPCA-Angell said in a statement Thursday.

A 1-year-old cat named Gingerbread was located by Animal Control officer Deanna Gualtieri on Friday after she received a tip from a resident who found the animal. Gingerbread was locked inside a plastic and metal cat carrier without food or water next to a dumpster in the back of a Waltham residence, according to the statement.

Gualtieri took the cat to the MSPCA-West, where she was stabilized before being transported to Boston, the organization said. Gingerbread had a broken jaw and right front leg, pointing to a hit from a fast-moving car rather than a fall or physical abuse, according to the statement.

The female cat was found in a locked carrier without food or water.

On Monday, the cat received surgery in the MSPCA’s Shalit-Glazer clinic in Boston, during which doctors were able to repair Gingerbread’s broken jaw but had to amputate her leg, which was too damaged to be saved, the MSPCA-Angell said.

Gingerbread will need several weeks to recover from her injuries, after which she will become available for adoption, according to the statement. Anyone interested in the female cat can email [email protected] for more information.

The MSPCA-Angell also said police are asking anyone who might know who is responsible for leaving Gingerbread outside to call 617-642-6166.