Paisley Daily Express

Help give old rescue cats a purr-fect life

- DAVID CAMPBELL

Johnstone Cat Rescue is urging people to give what they can to help look after its gang of five “oldies”.

Rusty, Smudge, Polly, Columbo and Malcolm have been in long-term foster care since being rescued by the centre’s volunteers – but they still need support with food and medical bill.

The charity’s Margaret Finnigen has organised an online fundraisin­g drive to make sure they have everything they need during lockdown.

She explained how the cats were found in distressin­g situations and still need so much support to allow them to live happy lives.

She said: “Rusty is our oldest resident, and is suffering from hyperthyro­idism.

“Rusty’s food, litter and medicine costs £130 per month.

“He was in a poor state when we found him wandering the streets and begging for food wherever he could.

“On the night we went looking for him, we found him lying under a bush sheltering from the rain.

“He let us gently pick him up and put him in the basket. It was like he knew we were going to help him.

“When we arrived at the vet, it was discovered he hadn’t been neutered, and had numerous infected wounds covering his thin body, along with fleas and ticks.

“Fast forward, Rusty now lives with Hazel and Justin who give him the very best of love and care.

“With his hunting days behind him, Rusty takes his retirement seriously and spends his time eating, sleeping and sunbathing in the garden.”

She added: “Malcolm, another of our senior residents, lives with his foster dad, Billy.

“We picked Malcolm up from the streets after receiving a call from a concerned lady.

“He was in a dreadful state and his wee frail body was riddled with fleas, lice and ticks.

“He had numerous war wounds, which included a torn ear .

“Malcolm wasn’t neutered, and that was the sole reason he ended up in this condition.

“He was admitted to the vet as a late night emergency and received antibiotic­s, pain relief, and flea/tick treatment.”

Margaret hopes to raise £800 and is already nearly halfway to the target just days after launching the appeal.

Anyone who would like to donate should visit https://bit.ly/350oAYV p // y/

 ??  ?? Much loved Rusty was in a bad way when he was rescued
Appeal Help look after Malcolm
Support Margaret Finnigen has launched the online drive
Much loved Rusty was in a bad way when he was rescued Appeal Help look after Malcolm Support Margaret Finnigen has launched the online drive

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