Meet Some of the Feline Residents of Metta Cats

Pippin

Named after the hobbit in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, Pippin is described as ‘friendly’ and ‘inquisitive’, emulating the traits of the eponymous fictitious character.

Banana

A panicked rescuer swooped Banana up after she spotted her in the proximity of a worker who in the middle of meal preparation was brandishing and sharpening his chopping knife. ‘I think it’s all a funny misunderstanding.’ Misunderstanding aside, Banana’s story of recovery surprised even Terry. ‘There was a time when she couldn’t walk, move or eat. I had to force feed her. We brought her to the vet, and she was diagnosed with renal failure, a condition many cats don’t survive. Her red blood count dropped to eight per cent. When a cat’s red blood count drops below thirty per cent, that’s when cardiac arrest is imminent.’ But she bounced back remarkably after a cocktail of iron tablets and supplements. Nowadays, after getting her daily subcutaneous injections of saline, she busies herself with chasing after dogs.

Hoonie

Hoonie’s sombre countenance haunts you. She was found in a critical condition. Unfortunately, because she is a girl well past her prime, and because she has feline immunodeficiency virus — a condition with a likeness to human immunodeficiency virus that infects her white blood cell — she is most likely to live out her twilight years at the shelter, in insolation.

Rose

Rose is a heroine. She’s a blood donor, belonging to the type A category. To date, she has saved up to six different cats. A brave soul, she doesn’t fidget when the needle pokes her body, and cooperates during every blood transfusion.

At Metta Cats’ previous location, Gin-Mei did not get along with her late mother. But that changed after the move to the Lim Chu Kang premise. A trooper battling chronic kidney disease, she is a shy being, but becomes affectionate with time.

Likely an abandoned cat, Onyx was ordered to be put down by the authorities. Madam Lee took him in after rescuer Randy Wong brought him to her. Initially, he would scream whenever a living being came near him, be it human or cat. Today, he is completely changed, and relishes his kisses and hugs.

A rare ginger girl — only one in five gingers is a girl — Orange-Ma was brought to a fish farm to catch rats. Instead, she impishly stole fishes. The frustrated owner wanted to put her to sleep. Thankfully, Madam Lee was able to provide refuge for her. The cat later gave birth to two kittens that unfortunately passed away due to respiratory problems. She too has nasal congestion, but the condition is now manageable.