Like humans, cats are vulnerable to disease. Some of these diseases can severely impact their lives, while others can be managed with the right amount of care and dedication. However, not every human is capable of taking care of cats suffering from a rare disease.
It's sad, but understandable. However, that leaves these affected felines with no place to go.
That's where Huiyu comes in, a woman who has turned her Singapore flat into a fully-functioning 'nursing home' of sorts for cats that have Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) or Feline Leukemia Virus (FelV).
Home, sweet home.
IMAGE: @keepcatssg / Instagram
FIV is one of the most common infectious diseases among cats in the world. Like Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), FIV attacks a cat's immune system, rendering it vulnerable to infections and makes recovery extremely difficult, if not impossible.
FelV, which is a form of feline leukemia, is the most common cause of cancer in cats. Clinical signs to look out for are also extremely similar to FIV.
With Huiyu's love and devotion though, cats with the aforementioned diseases actually have a place they can call home. Or if they're being put up for adoption, they'll at least be in good hands while waiting for their forever homes.
IMAGE: @keepcatssg / Instagram
In terms of the 'upgrades' that Huiyu has made to her flat, there are many small details that make the home a cat-safe place, minimizing the risk of any trouble that may occur.
For instance, the small openings in her front gate are lined with metal mesh, which prevent any curious cat from escaping (and getting lost in the process). Her bathroom is designed in a way that lets the cats roam about freely, while a certain section of her home has been partitioned to isolate sick cats from the healthy ones. But at least they can still see each other through a glass sliding door.
Screenshot: @encounter.sg & @keepcatssg / Instagram
In order to prevent dehydration amongst the cats that are more prone to falling ill, Huiyu will even administer subcutaneous fluid drips to make sure they're in tip-top shape.
“My home — It’s like a nursing room," she says. “I wanted my cats to have the access, or the freedom to go in and out of my room and not disturb my sleep."
To prevent the place from overcrowding, and for the cats to get the best lives they can possibly have, Huiyu has also partnered up with Singapore shelter Keep Cats, which helps rescue cats and finds people to foster them.
IMAGE: @keepcatssg / Instagram
Cats that have FelV or FIV often have shorter lifespans than their healthy counterparts, which does pose a deterrent to prospective cat owners. However, Huiyu encourages people to adopt them regardless of the state of their health.
After all, everyone needs a loving home.
Keep up with Keep Cats on Instagram.
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