06/08/2026
A difficult update from the shelter ❤️🐾
We are at a critical stage financially, and I need to be honest about where things stand.
For the past few weeks, I have had to make decisions I never wanted to make. I have had to say no - to staff, to supporters, to strangers and even to Lionel. I’ve had to turn away pregnant cats, abandoned kittens, dogs whose families no longer wanted them, kittens from people who refuse to sterilise, boxes of “found” puppies, and, most recently, a tiny kitten who needed somewhere safe.
Those decisions have weighed heavily on me.
This little girl is not a wild cat like Mamma Mia and her babies. She is affectionate, trusting, and clearly used to people. Two days ago, a young couple asked me to take her, but with the shelter already stretched beyond its limits, I had to say no.
Today, Gypsy found this exact same kitten dangerously close to wandering onto the busy road. She got spooked and climbed a tree, but thankfully she is safe now. She has been cleaned up, checked over, and, incredibly, doesn’t appear to have fleas - something that is very rare here.
The hardest part of this work is the “what ifs.”
Did she find another safe place, or was she left to survive alone until Gypsy found her? Those sorts of questions stay with me every time I have to say no.
This isn’t a pity post. It’s a plea for help. Anyone who knows me personally, asking for help is not something that comes naturally to me.
I am exhausted, but I am still here. This is probably the sixth time since returning in 2024 that I have reached this point, and every time I find the strength to keep going because these animals depend on us.
For the past 13 months, I haven’t taken a salary. The handover of the shelter did not go as planned, and many people who previously supported the animals, the local team, and the work here did not continue with us.
But the animals are still here. They still need food, medical care, shelter, and love.
Anywho… I’m heading to collect Keira, who has spent the day at the clinic. I’ll share an update tomorrow when I know more. Yes, it’s late but this work doesn’t always happen during convenient hours. Some days, it’s 24/7 depending on who needs extra care.
If you can help, even a small donation towards kitten food, vet bills, and the basic running costs of the shelter would mean the world to us.
If donating isn’t possible, that’s okay, I get it, I don’t have any money either. Sharing our animals’ stories, helping them find homes, and spreading the word about their medical needs makes a huge difference too.
At the end of the year, I am hoping to head home, which means I need your help more than ever to get these animals healthy, prepared for travel, and into loving homes before I leave.
To all our supporters… thank you for sticking with us through the good, the bad, and the ugly. Thank you for sharing the stories I so often frantically try to put together. Thank you for believing in these animals and helping me keep going when things feel overwhelming.
With gratitude,
Nicole 🐾
https://www.warriorsofwildlife.org/donations/
