While most people were sitting down to Christmas dinner last year, our thoughts weren’t on turkey and brussel sprouts but on Storm, our little miracle kitten, who was finally well enough to be discharged from the Hospital Veterinário de Portimão.
Storm, one of six kittens brought to our garden at four weeks by their feral mother, had almost succumbed to the cruel feline panleukopenia virus that had killed her brothers Zorro and Moonface six days previously.
Three months on, Storm is now healthy and thriving, with a quirky habit of tapping us for attention. Her siblings – Nettie, Midge and Tyson – complete our contented little feral family.
Our story has a happy conclusion; however, things could have turned out very differently had it not been for the Paka Dora Association.
We first approached the charity, set up by Gabi Shepherd, for help to sterilise the kittens before they reached sexual maturity – the conditions set by our local câmara made its offer of help impractical and impossible to accept. Gabi had readily agreed to help when tragedy struck. Midge was attacked by a seagull, leaving her left eye badly damaged. Paka Dora paid for the removal of the eye and the sterilisation of all kittens. We were provided with a cat house and food.
When, barely a month later, the kittens seemed lethargic and off their food, it was to Paka Dora I turned. Again, Gabi demonstrated her commitment to the wellbeing of the Algarve’s street cats, turning up at 7.30 am to help.
One of the vets who treated the kittens told me that feline panleukopenia is on the increase in Portugal, specifically because of the increase in feral populations caused by irresponsible owners not sterilising their pets. In fact, this virus can be tackled head-on if every cat owner sterilised their pet, male or female.
“We don’t only sterilise street cats; we provide food, medical care and cat houses,” said Gabi. “We also assign volunteer caretakers to feed and monitor the cats. At Paka Dora, we believe healthy animals shouldn’t be discriminated against because they are street cats.”
Paka Dora is committed to improving the lives of feral cats who, through no fault of their own, are often condemned to suffering throughout their too-short lives. It can only continue its important work through donations. Monthly lunches are planned from April.
Facebook: Pakadora Association-PDA
Main photo: Tyson (left) and Storm (right)
