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Westlake bus drivers, from left, Marge Laskowski, Denise Higgins, Leah Vandersluis and Denise Wering visit Margie the cat at the Westlake Animal Hospital.

(Courtesy of Westlake schools)

Margie

WESTLAKE, Ohio -- Margie, a cat rescued from the engine belt of a Westlake school bus last week, is recovering, but her medical bills are piling up.

So far, the Westlake Animal Hospital has provided about $1,800 in care to Margie, who was found stuck in the bus' serpentine belt, according to a news release from the school district.

The 1-year-old cat was discovered after Westlake bus driver Marge Laskowski radioed fellow driver Denise Wering during their morning routes on Nov. 12 to check the back of Wering's bus. When the drivers pulled off of Dover Center Road, they spotted a tail and a paw sticking out of the rear engine.

Westlake Animal Control Officer Jim Wang freed the cat -- now named Margie in honor of Laskowski -- and brought it to veterinarian David Love's Westlake Animal Hospital on Center Ridge Road.

Drivers think the cat crawled into the engine while the bus was parked overnight and plugged in to make it easier to start in cold weather.

Veterinarian Colleen Madden had to amputate one of the cat's legs because of a severe break, and her tail also will have to be amputated.

The hospital staff, which included Megan Hoffman, a registered veterinary technician, discovered that the cat was pregnant. But Margie lost her four kittens this week.

Westlake drivers drivers Leah Vandersluis and Denise Higgins have been among those keeping tabs on Margie while she recovers.

"The staff at the Westlake Animal Hospital has been absolutely phenomenal," Higgins said in the news release "They invite us in to see Margie all the time and let us stay as long as we want. The vets come in and talk to us. Megan (Hoffman) is text messaging us at 9:30 at night to give us updates. They are very dedicated."

The transportation department of the Westlake schools has raised more than $300 for Margie's care, which is likely to total about $2,500 or more.

Anyone who wants to donate to the Westlake Animal Hospital's Good Samaritan Fund can mail or drop off a check at the hospital, 27370 Center Ridge Road, Westlake, 44145. You can also make a credit card donation by calling 440-835-3800.

You can follow Margie's progress on the hospital's Facebook page.