Stories
Cat rescue work is a labour of love that is both incredibly rewarding and undeniably challenging. At Birchgrove Feline Assistance, we've been privileged to be part of many heartwarming rescue stories, a few of which we're sharing below.
While many of these tales bring us joy, we must acknowledge the hardships that often accompany our mission. We've seen cats who have faced neglect, illness, and adversity, and it's not always an easy journey to nurse them back to health and happiness. Sometimes we can't, and it's devastating when we have to say goodbye.
These stories are just a glimpse of the many lives we've touched, and there are countless more waiting to be written. If you'd like to be a part of the next story, consider supporting Birchgrove with a donation.
Six cats arrived from a colony in Nugent, all incredibly friendly but very ill. Each kitty had severe cat flu and was extremely skinny. We named them Audrey (tabby), Agnes (tabby), Alice (tabby), Avril (black), Abeline (black and white), and Ava (tabby) or ‘The A Team’.
Avril and Audrey turned out to be pregnant. Sadly, Audrey had a miscarriage. Avril, being healthier, gave birth to her kittens, and all of them were happily adopted. Sadly, Abeline was too unwell and crossed the rainbow bridge, gaining her wings.
After many months, the remaining cats gradually began to recover. Ava was the first to be adopted, finding her forever home and becoming best friends with another tabby cat named Aslan. Next was Agnes, who was adopted after an investigation for recurrent ear infections revealed she had FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus), a viral infection that weakens a cat's immune system.
Since FIV is transmissible, Ava’s new family was contacted, and she was tested along with the others. All tested positive for FIV, which explained their prolonged recovery from the cat flu. They were treated with strong antibiotics and are now doing well. While rehoming FIV-positive cats can be challenging due to their special needs, these cats often live long and happy lives with proper care and attention.
Alice was next to be adopted, followed by Audrey, and finally, Avril was adopted by the same family who had taken in Alice, as they found Alice to be the ‘most beautiful and best cat ever’ and wanted to adopt one of her sisters.
Having been given a chance, these beautiful kitties are now living their best and happiest lives with their new families.
For more information about FIV, visit www.birchgrovefelineassistance.org.au/fiv
ODIN
Stunning purebred Maine Coon Odin was surrendered to Birchgrove alongside his equally beautiful sister, Freya. Their owners were moving interstate and could not bring them along. Unfortunately, soon after their arrival, both cats fell mysteriously ill.
The Birchgrove team worked persistently through numerous vet visits and extensive tests to identify the cause. Thanks to a specially formulated high-nutrient diet, both cats eventually recovered.
Initially thought to be a bonded pair, it became apparent that Freya was bullying Odin away from his food, causing him to lose significant weight. As a result, they were separated for their wellbeing. Freya has since thrived in her new forever home with her 80kg canine Great Dane brother Joplin.
Odin’s recovery was longer, but he is now ready to go to his own happily ever after with lovely young couple James and Ariah, who have been patiently waiting for him from the day he arrived.
SCARFACE
When we received a call about a stray cat with a severe head wound, we knew we had to act quickly. By midnight, we had rescued the sweet older cat we named Scarface. In addition to his serious injury, he was battling an infection and tested positive for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus.
After surgery and a thorough exam, Scarface faced a long recovery, but with the support of our generous donors and the care of our shelter manager, Sarah, he made a strong comeback. Though he'll always have a floppy ear due to nerve damage, he's otherwise doing well.
The best news is that Scarface has found a loving home with Margaret, who adores older, scrappy cats. Margaret fell for him instantly, and he now enjoys a wonderful new life. Thanks to everyone who supported Scarface on his journey.
CEE CEE
Cee Cee, a playful and energetic kitten, made sure to capture everyone’s attention. Just two days into the new year and a few days after starting her foster care, her foster mom noticed her eye area swelling and weeping. At first, it seemed like it might be cat flu, but a closer look revealed something more serious.
It turned out that Cee Cee had a ruptured eye from a hidden wound under her top eyelid, likely from a rough play session with her foster friends. She really knows how to play hard!
Emergency surgery was needed to remove the damaged eye, but Cee Cee recovered impressively. She was soon back to her lively, zooming-around self. Just six weeks after her injury, she found her forever home with Josh, where she quickly became best friends with his two other cats, fitting right in and becoming besties within just four days.
ANNIE
Little Annie arrived at Birchgrove under difficult circumstances. She was one of several cats rescued from a hoarding situation, where the owner had sadly passed away, leaving family overwhelmed by the sheer number of animals. Our friends at Southern Tasmania Cat Rescue reached out for help, and we took in some of the cats most in need of care.
Annie came to us in poor health, suffering from a severe respiratory illness, and was extremely shy due to a lack of human interaction. Months of treatment and gentle care have made a world of difference, and she’s now blossoming into a sweet, affectionate girl. However, due to inbreeding, she still faces challenges and will soon undergo surgery to help her breathe more easily.
Annie has come such a long way, and she’s learning what it means to be truly loved. We're hopeful she’ll find a forever foster home where she can continue her journey in a safe and nurturing environment.
LEELA & POST
Leela came to us as a tiny 5-week-old kitten, missing an eye and covered in dozens of ticks. The vets were puzzled by her missing eye - it didn’t seem linked to common causes like cat flu, and since it wasn’t causing her pain, they decided to leave it as it was.
Poor Leela needed quite the haircut to get rid of all those ticks!
Four months later, Leela had grown into a bigger, fluffier version of herself and was adopted by Claire. Not long after, Claire got in touch again - this time asking about Post, a sweet adult cat who had been in our care twice after her previous family faced difficult housing circumstances. Since Post and Leela had already lived together at the shelter, they knew each other well. Claire decided to bring Post home too, reuniting them once again.
Shortly after the adoption, Claire surprised us with some news - her vet had discovered a tiny eyeball that had been missed before. We couldn’t believe it!
MILLY
When tiny, three-week-old Milly and her tabby sister Tilly arrived in a box, their new journey began. After settling into foster care and growing stronger, they were ready for desexing and recovery at the shelter. For a while, everything seemed to be going smoothly.
Then, one evening, our youngest volunteer sent a concerning message: something was coming out of Milly’s belly. It turned out Milly had torn her desexing stitches, and her organs were coming out of the wound.
With no vets available on a Sunday, we rushed Milly to an after-hours clinic for emergency surgery. The situation was both financially and emotionally draining, but our amazing supporters came through to help little Milly.
After surgery, Milly went to foster carer Rose, where she wore a very stylish onesie to protect her wound. Despite her rough start, Milly was a loving kitten, purring and kneading everyone she met.
She recovered well, enjoying a bit of AFL on her foster carer’s TV on the weekends. Once fully healed, Milly was adopted by a family with two boys and two dogs, and they all absolutely adore her!
LEGOLAS
Little Legolas, a stray kitten just 12 weeks old, arrived with a severe leg injury likely from a rabbit trap. It was clear the distressed kitty needed an amputation. Our incredible community helped cover the surgery costs, and Legolas showed amazing strength during recovery, despite a brief flare-up of cat flu.
Initially wary and intermittently hissy, Leggy quickly became the most affectionate boy, showing his gratitude with head boops, as if he knew we had helped him.
After just under four weeks, Legolas was ready for adoption. At an event, he won over everyone, especially Lauren and her three kids.
Since Legolas needed a friendly feline companion, we suggested a trial adoption, given Lauren's concerns about how her existing cat, Apollo, would react. Although Apollo was initially overwhelmed by Leggy’s playful energy, he soon warmed up, and the two cats began to get along.
Now, Legolas loves grooming Lauren’s hair, holding Apollo’s tail, running super fast, going crazy over toys, and playing with his new family.
MIKE
Mike and his two siblings came to us as tiny kittens, just three weeks old, and they were in really rough shape with some of the worst cat flu we’d ever seen. Their rescue was quite a dramatic story - team member Chelsea and a worker from the recycling factory where they were found managed to save them just moments before they would have been crushed by a box crusher.
Sadly, Toby had additional genetic problems and only stayed with us for a few weeks before he passed away. Mike and Nina pulled through the flu but were left with severe eye deformities.
Thanks to the care and dedication of their foster family, Mike and Nina were able to have the surgeries they needed to live without pain. The good news is that both of them have now found loving forever homes. Here’s a photo of Mike, living his best life in South Arm with his new owner Beth.
BRIDGET
Bridget was discovered as a stray and taken to an after-hours vet before joining us. She quickly became known for her love of water, often found lounging in the sink and playing with the tap - so much so that we affectionately called it her 'tap time.'
Her foster carer adored Bridget’s affectionate and sassy personality, particularly her habit of leaping onto the warm side of the bed. But her journey was far from smooth. Her first vaccination caused severe soreness in her neck that spread through her body, leaving her grumpy, uncomfortable, and sensitive to touch. As if that wasn’t enough, she then came down with a nasty Campylobacter infection, resulting in a terrible upset stomach and a series of messes around her foster carer’s house.
After several vet visits and treatments, Bridget began to recover. We were nervous about her second vaccination, but an antihistamine injection helped her handle it much better.
Just when we thought she’d found a forever home with Harry, he discovered his girlfriend was allergic. As we sought a new home, Harry’s sister stepped up, giving Bridget a fresh start. She’s now a happy and healthy girl, thriving in her new home!
DONALD
Donald’s story began under sad circumstances - abandoned when his owner moved, he was found matted and unwell. His health issues were severe, with serious stomach problems that didn’t improve despite our efforts.
Further tests uncovered a host of problems: Campylobacter, a dangerous bacterial infection; Giardia, an intestinal parasite; Clostridium, a bacteria causing gastrointestinal issues; and even Lungworm, a rare parasite in Tasmania. Donald needed immediate hospitalisation for fluids to address his dehydration and nutritional deficiencies.
After intensive care and a good grooming and shave, Donald started to recover. Thanks to our community's support, especially the contribution of one particularly generous donor, we managed the costs of his treatment. With a fresh start ahead, Donald found a new home with a local family who wanted a companion for their kitten, Onyx. We’re thrilled to see Donald thriving in his new, loving environment!
HOOKEY
We encountered a real challenge in Dodges Ferry, where our team was busy rescuing a family of stray cats - mum, dad, and kittens. These cats were incredibly savvy, making the rescue operation stretch over several weeks. At one point, the property owner noticed something strange hanging from one of the cats’ mouths.
This particular cat proved to be especially elusive, making the trapping process quite tricky. When we finally managed to catch her, we were shocked to find that the ‘strange object’ was actually a fish hook, embedded in her cheek and protruding out the other side.
We rushed her to the vet, where the hook was carefully removed and she was given pain relief and antibiotics. We named her ‘Hookey.’
Though she’s still timid, we’re working hard to socialise her and prepare her for a forever home. Hookey has certainly learned that fish hooks aren’t a cat’s best accessory!
MEG
Rescued from a hoarder's house, heavily pregnant Meg faced a tough start with severe hip and leg deformities. Her labor was complicated, requiring an emergency c-section, and she initially rejected her three kittens. Fortunately, Meg’s mother, who had also recently given birth, took in the kittens, though only the two girls survived.
Specialist vets found Meg’s bones were irregular and fused. After careful consideration, we decided against surgery due to the high risk of making her condition worse.
Meg has an outgoing, quirky personality and continues to enjoy life despite her challenges. Although her long-term prognosis includes potential arthritis and ligament issues, she’s currently comfortable and pain-free.
Meg is now looking for a forever foster home where she can receive the care she needs while living in a loving family environment. This will allow us to monitor her wellbeing and support her ongoing medical needs.
Grace & Victor
Grace arrived with her litter of four tiny kittens, As they grew, three of them found homes. Victor, the fourth kitten, remained unadopted.
However, the story took a heartwarming turn when Brooke came in with the intention of adopting just Victor. Upon meeting Grace and seeing her lovely interaction with the family’s twin daughters, a new plan emerged.
The family decided to take a chance and adopt both her and Victor. The adoption fee was waived for Grace, thanks to Birchgrove's 'No Mum Left Behind' initiative. This special program aims to ensure that mother cats like Grace get just as much of a chance at finding a loving home as their kittens and never get left behind.
The outcome was a great success – both Grace and her kitten (who is now a cat) Victor, are now happily settled in their new, loving family.
Phineas
Phineas, a 12-week-old kitten, arrived at Birchgrove weighing just 470g. This is roughly the size of the average 4-week-old kitten. He had endured several 30+ degree days locked in a house after the tenant had been evicted. While the team worked outside rescuing other abandoned cats on the property, Phineas' loud cries at the door caught their attention. They had to secure police permission to enter the house and bring him to safety. Phineas was found to be severely malnourished and dehydrated. Throughout the following weeks and months, he battled cat flu and ongoing tummy problems. With plenty of care, treatment, and time, Phineas became stronger and healthier.
His second compassionate foster carer, who couldn't resist his charm, decided to make him a permanent part of her life, renaming him Donald and adopting him. His original name, Phineas, symbolised his strong spirit, as his loud cries at the front door alerted our team to his presence, and saved him from a terrible fate.
Loki
Enter the heartwarming story of Loki, a standout among our shelter cats. He's not your average cat; Loki is a special needs boy. He's battled cat flu, a benign tumor, and dermatitis – all challenging enough on their own. But there's more to his strength; he also carries the weight of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), leaving his immune system weakened.
Despite occasional days where he feels under the weather, Loki enjoys many healthy days and has found his forever home on a Kellevie farm property with a cat run to keep him and others safe, lovingly cared for by none other than our Shelter Manager, Sarah. Loki's a constant purring machine, a true affection enthusiast who adores tummy rubs and loves to be picked up and cuddled.
Storm
Storm's journey began when her mother abandoned her during a storm, dropping her at the feet of a kind stranger. The stranger rushed the tiny kitten to Southern Beaches Vet, where Mel, a member of the public, happened to be. Mel instantly fell in love with Storm and became an ongoing source of support.
Storm was much younger than initially thought, just two weeks old. Under the care of her foster caregiver, she was bottle-fed, and transitioned to solid food. However, due to ongoing digestive issues, she struggled to grow. The cause of her troubles remained a mystery until it was discovered that she had a severe bacterial infection along with food allergies. With a new diet and the infection under control, Storm grew stronger.
Despite concerns that Storm's transition out of kittenhood might dissuade Mel from adopting her, when Storm was finally ready, Mel was there with open arms. Today, Storm lives in the cosy comfort of her Carlton home with Mel, warm and safe, a far cry from the storm she was named after.
Pepper
When Pepper was abandoned in Carlton, she was forced to fend for herself until a lovely local noticed her struggling. At first it was thought she had a badly injured leg causing her debilitating limp that seemed to become worse with each failed day of trying to capture her.
Fortunately, the team came to her rescue and discovered that she had a birth defect, leaving her with only three feet. To make matters worse, Pepper was pregnant, and her condition worsened as she grew heavier. But Pepper's spirit never wavered, and she gave birth to her kittens, becoming a loving and devoted mother to them.
After raising her babies, Pepper found her forever home in Primrose Sands with Sharron who had been following her story from day one. She is now cherished and adored, receiving all the love and care she deserves.
Pappa Gee
Pappa Gee started off as an extremely shy and reserved big boy. It took many months for him to realise that our affection was genuine. Originally dubbed "Mumma Gee," this name originated from his time in Lauderdale, where he was discovered alongside a group of kittens that he was nurturing.
During his 2.5-year journey under the care of Birchgrove, Pappa Gee gradually grew more at ease with human companionship. At first, he merely tolerated a gentle chin scratch, but over time, he developed a fondness for belly rubs from the team members he had grown close to.
Today, he enjoys a contented life with Julia in Primrose Sands. While it took a little while for him to settle in, Julia's patience has allowed him to thrive in his loving forever home.
Dundee
Dundee came into our care when a kind-hearted person found him and his siblings alone on her property. Unfortunately, Dundee had a birth defect, and X-rays revealed bone deformities in one foot, along with having only one toe. With a future of pain likely as he grew, he underwent amputation for his long-term well-being. Our amazing supporters pitched in to cover his surgery and ongoing recovery.
Following his successful recuperation, Dundee found a new home with a family in Primrose Sands. His owner humorously describes his purr as reminiscent of a 2-stroke motorbike, often accompanied by theatrical performances to convey his hunger, even after just being fed. Dundee has made both cat and dog friends in his new home, living harmoniously and proving that his three legs are no hindrance to his joyful and fulfilling life.
Willow
Originally from Smithton, Willow ran away from home due to her dislike of dogs and her living situation. She was rehomed with her owner's sister in Forcett, only to go missing once more.
A year later, Willow's sister returned to Smithton, and six months after that, a frail and forlorn Willow found her way to Birchgrove in a sorry state. She was emaciated, unwell, and her once-luxurious fur had transformed into a tangled mess.
Willow's past was a puzzle due to inaccurate microchip details. To piece together her history, the Birchgrove team reached out to vets and used the power of social media. Eventually, they connected with her previous owner, who, with a heavy heart, chose to surrender Willow for the sake of her finding a loving new home.
Under the care of foster parent Karen, Willow's health improved. Karen decided to give Willow a forever home, and now Willow thrives as the cherished queen of her household, the only cat in her loving home.
Rhett
Introducing Rhett, a true survivor with a heart of gold. Found on the side of a highway, Rhett was malnourished and severely flea infested. His frail body weighed only 1.7 kilograms, a weight typical for a three-month-old kitten. He couldn't walk, couldn't move, couldn't eat, and couldn't even hold his head up.
With his red blood count dangerously low, the vets recommended euthanasia and gave him a 10% chance of survival. However, our shelter manager was determined to save Rhett's life. She provided him with round-the-clock care for the first three weeks, bringing him back from the brink of death.
Today, after many months of recovery, Rhett stands as a 5.4 kilogram majestic white lion with green eyes full of life. Despite enduring more suffering than any creature should ever bear, Rhett's spirit remains unbreakable. Following his recovery and after the Birchgrove team carefully considered many potential new owners, he found the perfect forever home, being adopted into a loving family alongside his feline friend, Leo.
Jake
Jake arrived at Birchgrove at the tender age of 5 weeks, accompanied by his mother and siblings. Sadly, the whole family arrived with a severe bout of cat flu, and not everyone made it.
Jake's path to stability has been quite the journey. Throughout his life, he has become a familiar face at the vet's office. Amongst other setbacks, his desexing procedure put his body under stress and he took some time to recover.
A significant factor contributing to Jake's challenges is his diagnosis of being FIV positive, which has left him with a compromised immune system. He is also likely to require dental treatment soon due to the extensive use of antibiotics during his early days. Due to his unique needs and uncertain lifespan, Jake will remain in Birchgrove's care, living in his foster home, rather than being adopted.
As long as Jake continues to enjoy a good quality of life, our commitment to his well-being and our love for him will remain. While there have been moments when uncertainty cast a shadow over his future, for now, Jake finds joy in basking in the sun, embracing playful moments, and sharing lively interactions with his foster brother. With his incredibly soft fur and undeniable charm, Jake has become a cherished member of our Birchgrove family.
Scout
Meet Scout, a tiny kitten who, along with his companion Percy, was found in a shocking state. After being turned away from other organisations, their rescuer was finally directed to the team at Birchgrove who immediately welcomed the two kittens into their care.
Scout suffered from anaemia, severe malnutrition, and an eye condition where his eye had become sealed shut due to discharge and fur matting. It was so severe that his inner eyelids had fused together. In his struggle to obtain nutrients, Scout had developed pica, a condition in which a cat consumes non-food items out of desperation.
While Percy (third photo) was initially stronger, tragically his health took a downturn a few weeks later, and the team had to make the difficult decision to help him gain his wings. But Scout continued to fight.
As Scout continues his journey to recovery and gets stronger every day, he carries Percy's memory with him - a poignant reminder that every life, no matter how fragile, deserves a chance at happiness.
Riva
Discovered in our neighbour's driveway, Riva faced a tough beginning. She was seriously underweight, covered in oil from what seemed to be the local pub's grease trap, had a badly injured eye, and was terrified.
After multiple baths and weeks of fur loss, dedicated care at our shelter and a loving foster home turned things around. Her fur grew back, and she became stronger and more confident. The eye injury, likely a result of a sharp object piercing her eye in the past, led to what's termed a 'volcano eye.' While it is permanent and affects her vision, it hasn't hindered her, and in fact, it holds a unique beauty when seen up close.
After four months of recovery and care, Riva was ready for adoption. In July, she found her new home with Vivienne in Midway Point alongside her feline companion Watson and is now living her best and happiest life.