September at JCNI: Little fighters and families reunited

Tempura came to Kyoto

Tempura, the cat covered in glue, then rescued and rehabilitated, has joined us in Kyoto. He made a new friend while in temporary housing and is now being integrated into our shy cat area. He had a urinary crisis shortly after arriving, probably due to stress. He’s now on a special diet and short-term medication.

Two kittens got sick

Two of the Osaka park kittens developed severe intestinal inflammation and received urgent, ongoing veterinary care. The likely cause turned out to be Giardia, which they were probably exposed to during their life in the park. After several weeks of isolation and medication, they tested negative for Giardia and are doing better overall. They are still facing other health battles, probably related to weaker than normal immune function.

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Jack and Denki’s trip to Tokyo

Denki, from our rescue cat café, had a bump on his head that wouldn’t heal. After a biopsy at our local vet and a consultation with our vet in Tokyo, removal was advised, so Denki traveled to Tokyo for surgery. The vet will also fix a problem with one of his claws at the same time.

Jack, from our special needs area, has long struggled with severe upper respiratory symptoms. When our local vet found high pressure in his eyes, Jack joined the trip to see an eye specialist.

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Lea finds her way back to her sister

Lea was adopted from our shelter five years ago, together with another cat. They got along well until an episode of redirected aggression, when a cat upset by something it can’t reach, like a stray outside the window, attacks another cat in the home instead. Lea wasn’t the attacker, but despite her adopter’s many efforts, the two could no longer live together safely.

With a trip home ahead for her adopter, Lea needed a new place. She came back to our shelter extremely stressed and stopped eating for several days. The family who adopted one of her sisters, rescued together with Lea five years ago, kindly agreed to foster her. In their quiet, patient home she has finally relaxed, and she is slowly getting to know her sister again.

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Molly went to a new trial home

Molly came to us with her six young kittens after they were found in someone’s garden shed. All six kittens have been adopted, but Molly’s first trial home didn’t work out: the stress of moving was too much, she stopped eating for several days, and we brought her back to the shelter.

This time she went to people she already knew from their volunteer work at the shelter, and she settled in faster than we dared hope. As a bonus, they also adopted two of her kittens! We miss her, but it’s a joy to see Molly happy and healthy with her new family.

We rescued the 3 Chibis

While out on a walk, Aimi, a member of our guesthouse staff, spotted a small cat sitting in the middle of the road. The cat was thin, with a bad eye and sores on her ears, but she was friendly and jumped straight into Aimi’s arms. Our shelter was full and very low on funds, so Aimi came back to talk it over, and we decided we had to make room for Chibi.

When Aimi went back for her, she found that Chibi had two siblings in the same sad condition. She brought Chibi home as planned, and a TNR volunteer spoke with a local feeder, who recommended bringing the other two in right away. We agreed. All three have needed repeated medical care for severe upper respiratory infections and their wounds.

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