A cat who lost her paw back in October 2024 and was thought to have died is alive and well and expecting kittens.
According to Theresa Nolet with AlleyCats Alliance, this mama cat is believed to have been a part of a colony in the South Okanagan that the organization was supporting in 2024.
A volunteer with the charity discovered a cat paw on a neighbour's driveway, not far from the colony. The volunteer suspected that several cats had been sleeping under the hood of a vehicle and that perhaps that is how the feline lost its paw.
鈥淭hen, when she was doing her nightly feeding of the colony cats that she cares for, a cat with a partially amputated leg showed up,鈥� Nolet explained. 鈥淲e were contacted, and several different volunteers went out for several days trying to trap this poor baby.鈥�
However, the organization had no success. Often, volunteers reported seeing the cat with a missing paw but were unable to capture her.
Several months went by, and there were no sightings of the pawless cat. Nolet feared the worst.
Then she was sighted again this summer. Her appearances were sporadic, but we continued to hope,鈥� she said.
Finally, the cat, who had been missing a paw for months now, was trapped and taken to a veterinarian for assessment.
鈥淲e wanted to have her X-rayed to ensure that she would not need any further surgery. There is nothing left of her front left leg, only a 鈥榢nob鈥� of skin at the site of the amputation,鈥� Nolet said.
During the X-ray, it was discovered that the feline was pregnant.
鈥淲e have named her Adira, which is of Hebrew origin and means strong and powerful," Nolet explained. "Adira will be allowed to have her babies, and then we will have further vet care to ensure that she is in the best health possible after such a traumatic amputation and recovery."
AlleyCats is hoping to keep Adira as an indoor cat and keep her safe as she raises her kittens.
Now, the charity is looking for donations to help support Adira鈥檚 recovery and the veterinary costs of her babies as they will be spayed or neutered, microchipped and vaccinated.
To donate using e-transfer email alleycatsalliance@gmail.com, or donate via PayPal on the website , or by snail mail at 332, 113-437 Martin St., Penticton, B.C. V2A 5L1.
