Aunt Fanny’s Farm Shop Fundraising Efforts for Stray Cat’s Surgery

Aunt Fanny’s Farm Shop and Café, nestled in Wimborne, has warmly embraced a stray cat that has become an integral part of their daily life. The feline, affectionately referred to as a “member of the family,” had taken up residence on the shop’s doorstep. When the stray cat arrived with a litter of kittens one day, the compassionate staff promptly constructed a cozy abode for the newfound family and committed to providing care.

However, a tragic incident spurred the farm shop’s owner, Vanessa Streeter, to step up her responsibilities even further. One of the kittens, unfortunate enough to be hit by a car just outside the shop on Cranborne Road, faced severe injuries. Vanessa, deeply moved by the young feline’s spirit, made a resolute decision to save its life.

“He had two broken femurs. The vets wanted to put him down, but I just didn’t want to make that decision. His eyes were so bright, and it was like he wasn’t ready to give up. He’s only 16 months old – he still has so much life ahead of him,” Vanessa shared.

Opting for a challenging path, Vanessa agreed to fund the required surgery and committed herself to a two-month-long recovery period, caring for the cat in her own home. However, the endeavor came with substantial financial burdens, as the feral nature of the cat meant that insurance coverage was not available for the treatments, including overnight hospital stays, x-rays, medications, and the surgical procedure.

To alleviate the financial strain, Vanessa initiated a GoFundMe campaign, seeking support from the community. The response has been heartening, with over £1000 raised so far. Additionally, the RSPCA extended their support with a generous donation.

Vanessa’s GoFundMe page features a heartfelt appeal: “Already I’ve spent £1,000 on his treatment and as he is feral, he isn’t insured. I’m paying towards his fees myself and will be looking after him – he’s going to need two months recovery and will become a house cat. Please consider donating to his fund, every little bit helps towards the cost to save him.”

The nameless cat’s identity remains to be determined, but Vanessa hopes that the loyal patrons of Aunt Fanny’s can contribute their creativity and suggest an appropriate moniker.

Vanessa’s motivation for this endeavor is grounded in her deep affection for animals: “I just love animals so much. They’re my life.”