Written by Vanessa Courtenay, Media Relations: Harties Feral Cat Rescue
Professional photography by Carbon_Faction_Studios
Tiny, terrified and sick, the little feline ball of black fur was rescued in the nick of time from between the wheels of an enormous dump truck at a local chrome smelter by volunteer Barbara Grobbelaar in December 2020.
Disaster strikes
She was emaciated, with a bad case of snuffles and clearly in trouble. Super foster parents Pieter and Estelle van Wyk were nevertheless up for the challenge. A bath, good meds and regular good-quality food yielded results and Boo, as she was then named, was starting to make a turnaround.
Then, disaster struck: she developed an eye infection which became progressively worse. No amount of antibiotics was making the slightest difference, and the decision was ultimately made to remove her eye, as per the vet’s advice. Her eye socket was extremely small, so it was a delicate and risky operation, but it was the only chance Boo had of survival. And survive she did.
Boo blossomed
Boo spent the next eight weeks recuperating and being showered with love and attention. In early February, we started looking for her forever home. Boo was a timid little thing – not surprising considering what she’d endured in her short life. We knew that it wouldn’t be easy to find a home, but we wouldn’t give up.
On one of our posts, one unsympathetic person actually commented that she couldn’t understand why anyone would want a damaged cat! We swallowed hard at this, but we knew her forever human was out there – someone who’d see her as she was: not damaged, but special.
On the 12th of March 2021, our rock-solid belief in good people was once again confirmed! Angel Lauren Lamprecht stepped up and sent in her adoption application.
In Boo’s, or for that matter, our wildest dreams, there couldn’t have been a more perfect home. We’ve kept up with her progress and are delighted to watch her blossom into a confident young adult – all because of Lauren’s dedication.
Lauren Lamprecht, Boo’s owner, shares…
After losing one of our cats very suddenly in February 2021, I had sworn I'd not get another cat for at least six months…
I’d been following Harties Feral Cat Rescue NPO on Facebook for quite some time, and on the evening of the 12th of March 2021, I saw one of their posts – it was at that moment that I knew I needed to message Jo.
The post was about Boo, a tiny black kitten with one eye. I immediately messaged Jo to enquire, and she informed me that Boo had suffered a terrible eye infection that got worse with each day. The vets had tried to treat it, but with no luck, and they’d made the decision to remove her eye.
I went to meet Boo, and, without hesitation, I requested the adoption application form, sailed through the home check, and picked her up the day after my application was approved.
It was tough in the beginning, but so worth it.
Boo is such an amazing little cat – having one eye doesn’t impact her negatively in any way. She loves climbing trees and chasing the bugs. She’s so full of life and so vocal.
I swore I’d not get a new cat for six months. But I’m so grateful for finding Boo; she’s brought us so much love and joy.
