Injured Cats, Strong Spirits
- Amelia Watton
- Feb 15
- 2 min read
At QT Community Cats, we see many cases that remind us how vulnerable cats and kittens can be — and how undeserving they are of cruelty or neglect. What stays with us most, though, is not just their injuries, but their resilience. Time and again, cats who have every reason to fear people instead show gentleness, trust, and an incredible strength of character.
Recently, two tiny black kittens arrived in our care under heartbreaking circumstances. They had been dumped in a cardboard box and left beside the road, discarded as though their lives didn’t matter. Thankfully, a young couple travelling from Christchurch to Invercargill found them just outside Dipton and ensured they were brought to safety.
The male kitten, Benedict — a name meaning Survivor — is doing well and settling into care. His sister, Dorothea — meaning Gift from God — came to us carrying more than just the trauma of abandonment. She has an old, untreated injury caused by her front leg being pulled from the socket. Because this injury was never addressed at the time, it has healed incorrectly, leaving her with a painful deformity and permanent nerve damage.
To give Dorothea the chance at a comfortable, happy life free from pain, her injured leg will need to be amputated. While this sounds daunting, cats adapt remarkably well to life on three legs and often go on to live full, joyful lives. The cost of Dorothea’s surgery and aftercare is estimated at $2,500, and we are asking for help to make this possible.
If you would like to give towards Dorothea's care, please click the link to our Give a Little page:
Anything you can give toward Dorothea’s care will make a meaningful difference and help her on her road to recovery.
Despite her injury and such a rough start to life, Dorothea remains affectionate, gentle, and trusting — a powerful reminder that cruelty did not take away her faith in humans.
Another familiar face recently returned to our care is the beautiful Nev. Sadly, Nev suffered two gunshot wounds; one that ripped through his tail and embedded in his groin, and one that lodged in his chest. The bullet from his chest was removed, and due to the damage to his tail, this needed to be amputated. It is illegal to deliberately shoot and kill pet cats in New Zealand and can lead to criminal charges under the Crimes Act 1961 and the Animal Welfare Act 1999.
While what happened to Nev is deeply upsetting, we are relieved to share that he is now safe. True to his nature, he remains as friendly and loving as ever, greeting people with the same warmth he always has.
These cats did not deserve what happened to them. Yet their continued trust in people shows an extraordinary resilience — one that inspires us every day. With your support, we can ensure they receive the care, compassion, and second chances they so clearly deserve.
Thank you for standing with us, and with them. 💛
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