CATS ON THE CATWALK: Our feline family
CATS ON THE CATWALK: Our feline family
In this blog, we are excited to introduce you to some of the most beloved members of our finca: our feline family! At present, our finca is home to over 40 rescue cats, most of whom freely roam and lounge around the property. These cats have diverse backgrounds; some were abandoned, others faced neglect, and many have endured traumatic experiences. However, our mission is to provide a sanctuary for these feline friends, offering them a second chance at a loving and caring home. Most of our cats are incredibly affectionate and enjoy seeking out human companionship. Today, we're shifting the spotlight from our usual discussions about horses and dogs to celebrate our remarkable feline residents!
Silver and Simba
Silver, the striking silver tabby, and Simba, the vibrant orange tomcat, are two of the most resilient and determined members of our finca family. Simba was the first to join us, a true pioneer among our feline residents, arriving alongside his sisters Cookie and Dolly. Simba quickly established himself as the ruler of the finca, earning the respect of all the new cats who arrived. However, this peaceful reign was disrupted when Silver strutted onto the scene with an abundance of attitude, challenging Simba for the top spot!
Their rivalry escalated to the point where we had to take emergency measures, temporarily placing Silver in a foster home. Rehoming him proved challenging due to his feisty disposition. Surprisingly, Silver managed to escape from his foster home twice, determined to return to the finca. It was then that we realized we needed to give reconciliation another chance – a decision that luckily resulted in a heartwarming result!
Over time, Silver and Simba transitioned from being bitter enemies to becoming co-owners of the finca. These days, you can spot them lounging together somewhere on the property, showcasing the power of friendship and resilience. They show the transformative power of second chances and the enduring bonds that can form even in the most unexpected circumstances.
Lemon puff
Lemon puff was with Emma and Edo since before the sanctuary even started. He moved around with us while we were still looking for a place to live and start. He was rescued as a kitten from an abandoned family of kittens up in the mountains.
He was very nervous at first, but with time he learnt to trust and love humans. He got his name due to the little ball of fluff he was as a kitten: a white and orange ball of fluff with a really soft meow. Since growing up with such a big dog family he now thinks that he is a dog rather than a cat.
Twiglett or Twiggie
He had been under the care of one of our partner animal sanctuaries because he had Feline Panleukopenia, which is caused by a type of parvovirus and they had too many unvaccinated kittens. As he was highly contagious, we quarantined him in our bathroom to safeguard our own animals. Emma had to go in three times a day to administer a drip and his medicine. With a 3% chance of survival he was cold, stiff and extremely thin but he had the most amazing little meow and pulled through!
He is now on a list of blood donors to help other cats with Feline Panleukopenia Virus. While he may have resembled a character from a Tim Burton film for a period, he has since transformed into a robust and affectionate feline, bearing a striking resemblance to a miniature black panther.
Tripod
As his name suggests, this little companion goes by his name due to his unique three-legged status. However, this physical difference does absolutely nothing to slow this little rocket down! We rescued him after he was part of a hit and run. Someone hit him with their car and left him to fend for himself. Thankfully, a kind-hearted individual driving by couldn't bear to see him suffer and promptly rescued him, bringing him into our care.
Upon his arrival, we wasted no time in rushing him to the vet for life-saving surgery. The dedicated veterinary team worked tirelessly to save his life, even making huge efforts to salvage his injured leg. Regrettably, it proved impossible to save the limb, and the decision was made to amputate it. This loss led to Tripod's new name, a name that suits him absolutely perfectly. He is a really strong mini cat. He loves life, loves food and has the loudest meow you have ever heard.
Rumpelstiltskin, aka “the king of the finca”
Meet the giant fluffball who has been at the finca almost from the beginning. With his charmingly wonky eyes and an attitude that could conquer kingdoms, he reigns over the kitchen and every animal bows down to him. He had a rough start to life but certainly didn't let it stop him and he enjoys every minute of finca life.
Rumpel had a challenging journey prior to finding his forever home here. After enduring a seemingly endless 9-month stay at another sanctuary, patiently waiting for adoption, he faced the unfortunate reality that his unique cross-eyed appearance stopped him from being adopted. We welcomed him to us, to give him the chance to embrace the freedom of life as a finca cat. You'll often spot Rumpel comfortably nestled in an array of baskets and boxes, some of which he doesn't quite fit into but claims as his own, while never ceasing to defend his kingdom from intruders!
Callicat
Meet our adorable and spirited Callicat, a petite feline with a personality that's larger than life. She came into our lives as a frail and ailing street rescue cat, barely more than skin and bones, and we couldn't have anticipated the vibrant young cat she's grown into today. She loves life, people, and sleeping in our pizza oven (where she unintentionally "dyed" her fur black). She loves cuddles, playing, and all living beings.
Did you know this amazing feline friend is up for adoption? We all love her and honestly would be very sad to have to say goodbye, however she has one thing that would make her happier than life at the finca.
Callicat has a sensitive skin condition, which poses no issue for her 99% of the time. However, she has a flea allergy, and keeping up with treatment in a chaotic farm environment, with 45 cats, stray visitors, 20 dogs, and numerous chickens, can be quite challenging. In a conventional household setting, she would thrive without this minor concern, as long as she continues to receive the love, affection, and regular flea treatments that keep her comfortable.
Could you open your heart and home to this delightful feline friend, offering her the perfect environment to flourish and live her happiest life? Your loving embrace and a cozy home could make all the difference for Callicat.
Leukaemia cats
Welcome to our sick ward. This is where our cats with leukaemia live. There are two permanent residents here; Melanie and Karen.
Leukaemia in cats is very different from leukaemia in humans. Feline Leukemia Virus is one of the most infectious diseases in cats. It can transfer to other cats via bodily fluids, for example by saliva, urine feces and milk. Shared litter boxes, food bowls and kittens drinking their mothers milk can spread the disease. As you could imagine, with stray cats all over the island, the disease can run rampant without adequate vaccinations and neutering.
During the early stages of infection cats often don’t show any signs of diseases. After time however, this can be days, months or even years later, the cat’s health may worsen quickly. These cats then often develop blood disorders which can lead to an immune deficiency that will hinder a cat’s ability to protect itself against other infections. These secondary infections (bacterial, viral or other) can also lead to a lot of health problems. These can include weight loss, skin infections, neurological issues, stomatitis (severe inflammation of the mouth) and lymphoma (cancer). Life expectancy after diagnosis is 2.5 years on average, but of course this varies depending on the cat. Unfortunately, there is no cure.
Vet bills can increase for cats with leukaemia to account for all the extra illnesses, and is likely a reason that people give them away or abandon them. So, we aim to make their lives as happy, protected and comfortable as possible. Our leukaemia cats are separate from the other cats at the rescue not only to protect the other cats (despite them all being vaccinated against leukaemia already), but also to ensure that they are kept away from any other illnesses that may be going around and could prove fatal to a cat with an already struggling immune system.
Karen is one of the friendliest cats we’ve come across. When you come into their area she will greet you with warm meows and is desperate for cuddles. You could sit with them all day and they wouldn’t tire of your company. Sometimes, that’s exactly what the doctor ordered! Melanie is the shy one of the duo. She would rather watch all that’s going on safely from a distance. So we give her all the time and space she needs.
That wraps up today's introduction to some of the remarkable cats residing at the finca. The sheer number of feline friends here is so vast that we could fill a book with their unique stories and personalities. Regrettably, due to the current high cat population at the finca, we are unable to accommodate new arrivals until we successfully rehome some of our existing feline residents. Sadly the situation of abandoned cats on the island is incredibly disheartening and shocking. We may not be able to change the world for every cat, but we firmly believe that we can change the world for some cats.
If you're interested in supporting our mission and becoming a sponsor for one of our beloved cats, complete with exclusive behind-the-scenes updates, please visit this link. Thank you for being a part of our journey and for considering the welfare of these wonderful cats.
~ Carlijn
Giving to us on a regular basis means that not only can we keep you completely in the loop as to where your money is going, and how it is being used to do good, but we will also assign you your own personal log in details to receive insider information about our project and our plans. You will be informed first of all updates, allowing you to be a closer part of our journey with us.
