Nala's Journey

Nala was an unsocialised stray cat living as part of a colony in Levin. We had difficulty catching her as she had chronic respiratory problems and was unable to smell the food in the trap, but we finally managed to trap her in August 2017. Nala was speyed and commenced antibiotic treatment for a serious upper respiratory infection immediately. After months of treatment Nala was still wheezing. Her vets suspected a polyp (a type of benign growth) could be causing her symptoms and booked her in for surgery. They successfully removed a 2.5 cm polyp and Nala began to improve.

Nala went from a hissy and frightened ball of matted fur to an amazingly affectionate, smoochy and well-groomed house cat. She has a lovely personality and is now living life to the fullest, making up for having to spend her kittenhood on the streets. These days you can find Nala playing with her foster siblings or curled up on someone's lap.

Not long after her recovery, Nala began showing sings of a nasty ear infection and was started on daily ear drops and wash, later followed up with antibiotics. Unfortunately the infection kept coming back, and one day a mass burst out through her ear drum. Nala had yet another surgery and had a necrotic polyp removed from her ear. Despite a course of steroids, Nala has started to grow another polyp. She is awaiting further surgery for this polyp and will need to be on steroids for a while after this. She may require an expensive inner-ear surgery at some stage in the future to prevent further complications.

As if the poor girl hadn't been through enough, Nala sustained a nasty leg fracture during an accidental outdoor adventure. This fracture required surgical repair, costing around $1700 (including x-rays and pain relief). Nala is currently on crate rest and will require follow up x-rays in a few weeks' time.

Due to her extensive veterinary requirements, Nala remains an Outpawed sanctuary cat. This means she will live her life under our care, but in a permanent foster home. Nala has had four surgeries to date, with at least one more yet to come. Her vet bills are in excess of $3000 and rising, and we need help keeping up with the costs. Donations will go into Nala's fund, going towards her vet care. Any excess funds will be used to cover Nala's food costs and annual vaccinations.