Every rescue begins with hope.
But some rescues also carry heartbreak.
At Archie’s Cat Sanctuary, we care for the cats no one else can. The elderly, the sick, the abandoned, the ones whose lives have already been heavy before they ever reach safety. Tommy and Blackie were two of them.
TOMMY'S FIGHT
Tommy was found lost and disoriented at a car ferry dock, struggling to survive. His body was failing him — neurological issues, severe dental disease, and chronic kidney problems made even eating painful. Still, he remained gentle, trusting, and quietly determined. He received urgent veterinary care: blood tests, imaging, hospitalization, medication, and a critical dental extraction to relieve his suffering. Slowly, we saw glimpses of the cat he was meant to be. But chronic kidney disease is relentless.
Despite weeks of treatment and careful monitoring, Tommy’s body could no longer keep fighting. He passed away under veterinary supervision, cared for and comforted until the very end.
Tommy’s medical care cost over €1,000, and part of that bill remains unpaid.
BLACKIE'S JOURNEY
Blackie came to us as an elderly cat after losing his home. At around 12 years old, he was already fragile when his health began to decline. Kidney disease, dehydration, balance issues, and internal inflammation meant repeated vet visits, blood tests, ultrasounds, X-rays, IV fluids twice daily, and ongoing medication.
When tests showed his bone marrow was no longer producing red blood cells, there was no chance of recovery. On veterinary advice, we made the heartbreaking decision to let him go peacefully, sparing him further suffering.
Blackie’s extended treatment and hospitalization resulted in hundreds of euros in veterinary costs, many of which are still outstanding.
THE REALITY WE’RE FACING
Tommy and Blackie are not isolated cases. While caring for them, we were also:
Supporting Marcus, who survived life-saving diaphragmatic hernia surgery with only a 50/50 chance of survival and still requires follow-up care Providing daily hands-on medical care for Crystal, a paraplegic cat with ongoing infections and special needs
CLEOPATRA (CLEO)
Cleo arrived with a cancerous ear and signs that her body had already endured a lot. She underwent a full veterinary workup: blood tests, cytology, ultrasound, and hospitalization. Blood tests and cytology revealed a high white blood cell count and mild anemia. She tested negative for FeLV and FIV. She received IV fluids and pain relief medication.
Electrochemotherapy was attempted to treat her ear tumor, requiring overnight monitoring due to hypothermia.
Despite the intensive care and her incredible bravery, the cancer had spread too far, and she had to be euthanized to prevent further suffering.
The total cost for Cleo’s treatment, diagnostics, medications, and hospitalization came to €500, much of which is still outstanding.
SHADOW
Shadow was a tiny street kitten rescued by a kind tourist who made sure he had food, warmth, and care before reaching out to us. Shadow required immediate treatment: eye drops, antibiotics, and gentle cleaning, and under our care, he thrived.
We are overjoyed to share that Shadow was adopted and travelled to his forever home in Italy, where he will began a new chapter as a loved and treasured family member.
The Current Sanctuary
After losing Tommy, Blackie, and Cleo, and celebrating Shadow’s adoption, we are now caring for 38 cats and 6 dogs, three of whom are on medication.
As a small, independent sanctuary, we rely entirely on donations. When multiple medical emergencies happen at once, costs rise faster than funds come in.
Right now, we are in veterinary debt. Some invoices for Tommy, Blackie, Cleo, and other cats remain unpaid. Not because they weren’t worth it, but because we simply didn’t have enough funds at the time.
TRANSPARENCY MATTERS! The veterinary records shared here are original clinic notes showing real treatments and real costs — diagnostics, surgeries, IV fluids, medication, and end-of-life care. We share them openly because transparency matters, and because rescue is never free, even when it is done with love.
HOW YOU CAN HELP Your donation today will help us:
Pay off outstanding veterinary bills
Continue medical care for cats like Marcus, Crystal, and others in need
Keep our doors open for the next animal who has nowhere else to go
€25 helps cover medication
€50 supports blood tests or IV supplies
€100 contributes to hospitalization costs
€250 or more helps reduce our unpaid vet balance significantly
Every contribution matters. If you believe that Tommy, Blackie, and Cleo deserved dignity, comfort, and care — and that the cats still with us deserve the same chance — please consider donating today. Help us clear our vet debt and continue saving lives
Thank you so much for your generosity.
Dear Friends and Animal Lovers,
Your generosity has carried us through so many difficult moments. Because of you, Crystal, Cauliflower, Midge, Mungo, and most of Scooter’s medical treatments were fully covered when they desperately needed care. Crystal, and Midge are now healthy and thriving because of your kindness. And since our sanctuary is completely roam-free, Cauliflower, Mungo and Scooter chose to return to their colonies once they were strong enough; a beautiful reminder that every act of care gives a second chance at life.
But today, we’re facing heartbreak again, along with crippling vet bills we simply cannot cover alone.
Tommy, our gentle boy, passed away on Tuesday the 25th after a long battle with chronic kidney disease. He spent two weeks in the hospital fighting with everything he had. Just before he left us, he began having seizures, and despite every effort, we couldn’t save him.
This morning Thursday the 27th we had to say goodbye to Blackie. After over a year of successfully managing his kidney issues, his health suddenly declined. Today’s blood tests showed his kidneys had slightly improved, but his haemoglobin had dropped to a dangerously low level. His bone marrow had stopped producing red blood cells, and there was no cure, no treatment, and no hope of recovery. Letting him go was the kindest and most painful decision we’ve had to make. For the past two months, Blackie has been in and out of the vet, needing constant monitoring and care.
These losses have shattered us emotionally and financially.
Our sanctuary remains a refuge for strays who arrive sick, injured, abandoned, and desperate for help. We never turn them away. They depend on us… and we depend on the kindness of people like you.
Right now, we urgently need your support to cover the overwhelming vet bills from these past weeks and to continue helping the next cat who arrives at our door in need.
Please, if you’re able, donate today. Even the smallest gift provides medical care, comfort, and a fighting chance for a cat who has nowhere else to turn.
How to Help:
PayPal: archieshangout@gmail.com
Revolut: LT17 3250 0898 6631 6541
Every donation big or small, truly makes a life-changing difference.
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Thank you for standing with us, for caring, and for giving these precious souls hope when they need it most.