SPCA New Zealand

From rescued to rehomed: Jelly’s story

21 March 2022

Here at SPCA we have dozens of animals come through our doors every day. Our ‘Rescued to Rehomed’ stories share the tales of those who come into our care, in pain and often fighting for their lives, and make a miraculous recovery. This is Jelly’s story.

From rescued to rehomed: Jelly’s story

In shocking condition

It is the sheer resilience of animals in need, and the willpower to keep fighting despite the odds, that leave our team awestruck on a daily basis.

Jelly’s story is a testament to that.

She arrived in SPCA’s care as a sick, stray kitten and needed urgent attention. “Her eyes were full of gunk, her fur was dull, she was thin as a rake, yet all we could hear from the carrier was purring,” SPCA Animal Attendant Rachel says.

“With her older and wiser face peeking out, Jelly was taken in for assessment. From there, we wiped the gunk from her face and cleaned her fur a wee bit – all the time she purred.”

A vet assessment confirmed our team's fears. Jelly was sick with severe conjunctivitis and battling off a strong case of giardia. One thing was certain: she had a lot of hurdles to overcome and wasn’t out of the woods yet.

Jelly on arrival to SPCA
Jelly on arrival to SPCA

Feeling better in foster care

Once Jelly had been assessed by our team and received the treatment she so desperately needed, she was placed in SPCA’s hospital room to isolate and recover. In 24 hours, Jelly had made massive progress; already putting on 100 grams. For such a sick, young kitten this was no easy feat.

However, Jelly’s condition started to decline in hospital. She was dehydrated, lethargic and flat and our team couldn’t pinpoint the cause.

A sweet, cuddly kitty, our team realised that staying in hospital was just too lonely for this loyal companion. So, once she had stabilised, Jelly was sent out to foster care so she could lap up all the attention with one of our dedicated foster families.

Foster care not only gives our animals a calm, home environment to recover (and plenty of cuddles and attention in Jelly’s case!) but it also prepares them for what to expect when they find a forever home too!

In a matter of weeks, Jelly had turned a corner.

“With unstoppable diarrhoea and gunky eyes, nothing stopped this kitty living life to her fullest and never holding any ill will to whoever had to pill her,” SPCA Animal Attendant Rachel laughs.

Jelly in foster care
Jelly in foster care

Finding a forever home

After six months in SPCA’s care, Jelly was finally fighting fit and rearing to find a forever home. This girl had one big heart and after fighting off every bug imaginable, she was ready to find a new lease on life.

It didn’t take long for someone to fall in love with this fearless feline. “She is now part of a family where she is doted on and is best friends with their little dog, who also was from SPCA!” Rachel says.

“Her family told me about Jelly is that she loves to catch bugs! Especially flies, much to the joy of her new dad. This means he doesn't need to chase them around his house himself swatting them!” she laughs.

We couldn’t be more thrilled for Jelly. Love hard and play hard, you little trooper.

Jelly in her forever home
Jelly in her forever home
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