A SOMERSET resident is raising money to pay for vet’s bills after the cat she rescued two years ago had a major operation.

Susie Wills-Grant, from Taunton, has set up a Facebook fundraising page, to help her raise the money to pay for the operation.

Her cat, Desmond, broke his leg last Monday (November 23) and had to have a metal plate put in to help it heal.

“Two years ago, I rescued him,” said Mrs Wills-Grant.

“He was shut in a bathroom all the time on his own, because he was the runt of the litter and no one wanted him.

“On the Monday, I noticed his leg was floppy and he was crying out in pain, so I took him to the vets and he had x-rays which were sent to a veterinary orthopedic specialist.

“Wednesday morning, the vet told me he would need urgent surgery.

“And now his foot is swollen and weeping, and he’s on antibiotics as he has an infection.

“He had a bell on his collar – Monday morning he didn’t have the bell anymore. I think he might have got caught on a branch and then fell.”

Somerset County Gazette:

ADORABLE: Desmond, as a kitten, with his dog sister Maisie

Mrs Wills-Grant had a few weeks of free pet insurance when she took Desmond in, and intended to renew it.

Around the time of rescuing Desmond, Sue’s mum became very sick. And so renewing the pet insurance wasn’t her priority.

And although Sue worked full-time, any spare time was spent looking after her mum until she passed away at the end of September this year.

Within a few weeks of this happening she was made redundant.

And so she did not need the added pressure of paying the £2,500 vets bill.

After announcing on Facebook that Desmond had been injured and joking that “any donations were greatly appreciated”, Mrs Wills-Grant had many messages of support – and offers of donations to help out.

So she decided to set up a Facebook fundraising page to see if anyone would help out, and she has received a wealth of support.

Somerset County Gazette:

STRETCH: Desmond, alongside Mrs Wills-Grant's other cat, Marmalade

“Now we have raised more than £600. I put daily updates to say thank you – it just means so much and takes a bit of stress and worry away,” she said.

“I am just absolutely blown-away by the strength of the community and the kindness of so many people – some of whom I don’t even know, because the fundraiser has been shared by so many.”

One person who donated added: “Sue would do anything for anyone and sometimes it is nice to be able to give something back, especially to someone who never usually asks for it.”

To donate visit facebook.com/donate/415784966465005/415785773131591/

Somerset County Gazette:

SNUGGLED: Desmond and sister Maisie