An elderly stray cat with a cancerous eye, living on the streets in Axminster, has a new home after a volunteer-run East Devon animal charity paid for his lifesaving operation and found him a loving family.
Volunteers at the Cats Protection Honiton & Axe Valley branch came to the rescue of black and white cat Archer, after a couple feeding the stray became concerned about his health.
When the charity examined the cat, they found one of his eyes was totally black, instead of pale yellow, and he was very thirsty.
Pictured here is Archer after his operation.
Photo: Cats Protection.
Archer was found to be microchipped. His original owner was traced to Scotland after moving 10 years ago, and agreed the cat should stay with the charity for treatment.
Archer needed surgery to remove his eye, along with a tumour, at a £2,000 cost to the volunteer-run charity, sparking an online fundraiser to help cover the treatment.
Once Archer recovered, he was found a new home with John and Jenny Pearce Riddy.
John said: “We saw Archer on the Cats Protection website and had been looking for an older boy cat to keep our small female cat company as she loves other cats. We went and met him and realised what a lovely natured cat he is, and we are very much enjoying having him join us in our home.”
Archer the cat in his forever home, pictured here with John Pearce Riddy.
Photo: Cats Protection
Jenny said: “Archer’s very cuddly and will do anything for Felix treats. He runs around madly each morning and evening when he’s feeling a bit like having a game. The rest of the time he sleeps and snores.”
“We had great help and support from both Bob and Heidi at Cats Protection and from the vets who took time to talk us through his health needs.”
Archer is pictured here having a cuddle with Jenny Pearce Riddy.
Photo: Cats Protection.
The charity said Archer’s eye operation, diagnostics, kidney scans and post-operative care cost the volunteer-run branch nearly £2,000.
The JustGiving appeal has so far raised just over £100. If the target is met, any extra funds will be ploughed back into the Honiton & Axe Valley branch, on cat care.
Bob Carter, branch coordinator, said: “Archer’s eye was causing him extreme pain and showed very high pressure which was starting to cause it to enlarge. We knew there was a strong chance it could be cancerous and needed urgent surgery to remove it, but Archer’s constant thirst meant we had to check his kidney function before proceeding.
“Thankfully, although he does have kidney disease as is common in cats as they get older, his is the lowest grade and the vets were able to continue with surgery, while taking supportive measures to safeguard his kidneys.”
He added: “We fundraise to cover all our costs – from vet care to cat food – and any donation, small or large, allows us to continue helping cats when they need us most.
“We are currently in the process of expanding from covering the EX14 postcode to also taking on EX12 Seaton, EX13 Axminster, EX24 Colyton and DT7 Lyme Regis, we will therefore have many more cats needing our help.
“As a result, we would very much like to hear from anybody interested in volunteering, whether in a cat care capacity or supporting the day-to-day running of the branch. We give full training and all expenses are covered. If you have skills and enthusiasm to share, we’d love to hear from you.” Find out more, here.
