Update and words from Jewels
4 August 2021
First update:
The vet bills, as expected, have sored passed the $4,000 mark and have almost reached $20,000 so everyone's continued support has been incredible and means almost as much to me as it does to Jewels!
She had provided me with a comment below:
"Early Saturday morning I said my last goodbyes to my beloved ones. Mark from Pets at Rest was so kind and listened to my tearful ramblings about who each one was and what they were like. The guilt remains overwhelming so I try not to think about it. Later that morning I took those who were out of danger to an enclosure at a Paw Kitties (noneof them were that impressed but they'll settle in soon, and I'm visiting every night). I can't express my gratitude enough with everything they have done for me. The twins are with me at moment as still coughing ☹ One of my outside kitties (Fern, made famous by Newshub!) is here too, and goes back to my place to hang around outside during the day, with Inka (my White Shepherd). Felix and Tui have come home from VSA and Cricket has been critical (oxygen dependent and not eating) though stable all this time. I have been agonising over Cricket (my cerebellar hypoplasia boy) as he is possibly blind with neurological issues. He and I have been through so much since he came as a tiny baby with his mum and siblings, and I lost his sister in the fire. Night before last though, he was sitting up and looking around. He walked (in a fashion!) towards me and seemed to want to come out so I put him on my knee and he sat and cuddled with me for ages with no distress. It gives me hope, as long as he can have a good quality of life. Everyone has been so amazing - I can't thank you enough! The smallest donation helps and I know there are people sacrificing to help me and I'm so grateful to you, and for your thoughts and prayers as well. I hope to pay it forward, with interest, in the future! Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for making an impossible time a little easier ❤"
Though Jewels has months of repair and healing to do, she knows we are there for her and I believe this is helping immensely.
Any funds raised over and above what has been and will be required to pay for vet bills (specialist care is now over $10k alone), will be used to cover food, litter and accommodation expense for the surviving fosters in her care until they are adopted into loving homes. Jewels rescues and rehomes privately and has continued to care for all her residents throughout this heartbreaking time.