Cats Protection has launched an appeal to fund an emergency ear operation and support the post-cancer recovery of Bumble, a Surrey cat down on his luck.
Black and white Bumble was picked up by emergency vet service Vet Now and transferred to Cats Protection’s Farnham, Camberley and District Branch when a large skin growth was discovered on his ear.
Histology showed that the growth was a fibrosarcoma that had started to spread, so vets at Aldershot’s Ash House practice determined that the best course of action to reduce risk of a malignant tumour returning was urgent surgery to remove Bumble’s ear.
Cats Protection’s Farnham, Camberley and District Branch Coordinator Sue Millward, said: “As this form of cancer can be quite locally aggressive it was felt that removal of the majority of the ear was essential, especially as we didn’t have any medical history of how long the tumour had been growing.
“Taking into account his estimated age of around 10 years, surgery sooner rather than later was advised, so we committed the necessary funds and gave the immediate go-ahead.”
Thanks to their fast action, Bumble underwent emergency surgery in mid-March, shortly before Covid-19 restrictions came into place across the UK.
Large vet bills are part of everyday life for a cat charity, but urgent cases such as Bumble’s potentially life-saving operation and recovery can stretch the financial limits of a team of volunteer cat carers.
Branch Coordinator Sue Millward, said: “Specialist treatment comes at a price and when a cat is in pain or at risk, as was the case with Bumble, we cannot wait to raise funds in advance. As volunteers we rely on the support of our community and we can only continue to help more cats with the generosity of local people.”
Supporters are invited to back the branch’s essential work by donating to Bumble’s £600 JustGiving appeal to cover the cost of giving this sweet rescue cat a cancer-free chance at a better life. Any funds raised beyond the target will help other cats in care at the branch.
Although he looks a bit lopsided with only one ear, Bumble took the surgery in his stride and is recovering well. Tests are looking hopeful and there isn’t any sign of metastasis.
Bumble is a laid back and affectionate cat who loves to snuggle with his foster carer, so it is thought likely that he was a family cat before being found as a stray.
Despite exhaustive efforts to trace Bumble’s owner by social media appeals and in the absence of a microchip, he will remain in Cats Protection’s foster care until he is well enough to be rehomed after the current restrictions are relaxed.
Cats Protection encourages all owners to get their cat microchipped and the charity is calling on the Government to introduce compulsory microchipping of owned cats to make it easier for pet cats to be identified if they become lost on injured while outdoors.
During the Coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis, Cats Protection branches and centres are looking after cats already in their care, but cannot rehome cats and are only taking in emergency cases. Currently most vets are only doing urgent or emergency treatments.
To donate to Bumble’s appeal, visit his JustGiving campaign:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cp-farnham-bumble
