Struggle to bring Leo the cat to SA
A DESPERATE cat owner is racing against the clock to raise funds to bring home her beloved pet as she returns after several years abroad.
Lauren Engler, 26, from La Lucia in KwaZulu-Natal, who has been working as a teacher in Changzhou, China, for more than two years, will return to South Africa later this month.
She adopted her cat Leonidas, fondly known Leo, as a kitten after a colleague found the abandoned, sickly animal that had not been properly weaned.
She said she offered to take him in until she could find him a home.
“However, the day little Leo came to live with me, I took one look at him and knew I would never be able to give him to someone else.”
The total cost of getting Leo home, she said, was going to be $3 400 (more than R55 400).
“This amount is made up of a quote from Globy Pet Relocation in China, which is charging me $3 082.87 to cover all costs involved in exporting him. The second amount is from Keringa Petwings in South Africa, which has quoted $232.30 (for import costs).”
She said she also had to take Leo from Changzhou to Shanghai on a number of occasions, to get his vaccinations, microchip and government-issued health certificate.
“This is going to cost me a further $565.08 in taxi fees.”
The current deadline on his funding page is January 31.
Engler said friends and family had offered support and assistance if Leo needs to fly out at a different time.
You can find Leo’s Instagram page by searching for @kingleoandfriends, if you would like to get in touch or follow his story.
Go to iol.io/ba1j0 to donate to the cause.