We beg that there are many cat lovers in this room, right? You surely love spending time with your lovely four-legged-friends but have you ever met someone who would love to spend her own life helping cats?
Let me introduce you to Suellen Duga, a remarkable 72-year-old woman whose life is dedicated to helping disabled cats. She has transformed her home into a haven for felines in need, currently caring for 12 disabled rescue kitties.
Source: Suellen Dumond - Duga
Each of these cats faces their own unique challenges: Julie copes with cerebral hypoplasia; Buddy is blind; Roo, an unusual male calico cat, can’t use his front legs; and Cory has a dislocated hip. Two other kitties in Suellen’s care are battling Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), and the rest require specialized treatments and frequent vet visits.
Source: Suellen Dumond - Duga
Despite their disabilities, these fortunate kitties have found a loving and nurturing home, all thanks to Suellen. This isn’t her first rescue mission, though.
Suellen’s love for cats has been a lifelong affair, but her journey as a cat rescuer began back in the 1970s. One day, she stumbled upon newborn kittens nestled in the bushes near her building, with no mother cat in sight. Unable to leave them helpless, she made the brave choice to take them in and provide the care they urgently needed.
Source: Suellen Dumond - Duga
These kittens were so young that they required round-the-clock attention. Suellen painstakingly fed them with a clean nasal spray bottle and did everything in her power to ensure their survival. She even sneaked them into her city office building, risking her job just to care for them.
She recalled, “I wasn’t fooling anyone, actually; everybody knew they were there, but no one turned me into management.”
Source: Suellen Dumond - Duga
With plenty of love, care, and effort, the kittens not only survived but also found a permanent place in both Suellen’s heart and her home.
After running a local natural food store with her husband for two decades, Suellen felt a calling for change. In 2007, she began volunteering with the Westfield Homeless Cat Project. It wasn’t an easy task, but her determination to help cats knew no bounds.
Source: Suellen Dumond - Duga
She explained, “There were cages piled on top of each other from the concrete floor up. For an old woman to be on her hands and knees on a cold concrete floor was admittedly not the best way to do things, but I felt strongly about helping the cats.”
Her commitment led her to become the adoption coordinator for the shelter. Although Suellen cared deeply for all cats, those with disabilities held a special place in her heart. These cats often went unnoticed by potential adopters and were frequently returned to the shelter shortly after adoption. “I just could not stand to see that happen over and over,” she said.
Source: Suellen Dumond - Duga
So, Suellen came up with a brilliant idea - opening her home to disabled cats. Many of the 12 cats she currently cares for are “foster fails.” Suellen has thoughtfully adapted her home to accommodate the special needs of her beloved feline companions.
Even in her 70s, she refuses to slow down. When she’s not tending to her cats, she works a night job to cover their extensive vet bills.
Source: Suellen Dumond - Duga
Regarding her age, Suellen has a plan in place. She holds a $5,000 life insurance policy to ensure her cats receive the care they need in case she departs before them.
“I almost hope I do because their losses are so devastating to me - the worst thing ever. I love them all so much,” she expressed.
Source: Suellen Dumond - Duga
Suellen’s incredible story is an inspiration to cat lovers worldwide, urging them to extend a helping hand to cats in need, particularly those with disabilities, who often go unnoticed by potential adopters.
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