Mrs K and Hisser

A month ago, Hisser was discovered listless and much scrawnier, among the colony of community cats, where an elderly caregiver religiously feeds everyday. It was (still is) difficult to get hold of Hisser, as unlike the bulk of the lot, she's much more wary of humans, even of the hand that feeds her, and snarls and hisses, being the more defensive cat she is.

When Mrs K sounded to us that she needed help to catch her, we knew that Hisser was not doing well. It was a tearful day for Mrs K, as she clasped her hand tightly with mine and sobbed uncontrollably, when I told her that the diagnosis wasn't ideal - Hisser had ulcerations at her privates due to infected urine. As a result, she was unable to control her urination, but managed to eat fairly well with chicken meat smeared with butter.

At 80 plus, Mrs K manages several colonies of community cats and knows each feline by heart, and very, very religiously, feeds them and monitors their health. Like most caregivers, she's on her own and has spent fortunes on cats for medication, sterilisation, food and daily operational maintenance.

She clasped mine with a hand that was covered with plasters and that which was bleeding from the sratches that Hisser inflicted, as we were trying to put her into the carrier against her attempts to bolt out of it a few times. We had to sit around and lure her from under the van with as much patience as Hisser's scepticism about us. It was traumatic for the sick cat who was groaning and growling the entire process, but it was worth the try.

And after days of observation, we released Hisser back to the community who scurried across the alley to her abode she has been calling home for the past years. A secluded, dirty corner, but her safe spot.

Hisser disappeared for a few days after the release but returned to the Mrs K and her food, as carefully affectionate as before, and struts around with the rest, having gained good weight and a reduced infection.

Hisser is back to the community, ear-tipped, treated and healthy.

If you'd like to help Mrs K with her expenses on Hisser's treatment which fetched a few hundred dollars, please email projectjkteam@yahoo.com.sg

Your ongoing kindness is greatly appreciated, and we are very glad to tie your support with the figure that the community cats heavily on and of course, Hisser, who survived a fatal infection with people like Mrs K who mothers her cats with a faith that is moving and inspiring to all of us.




Hisser warded at the vet's. She had to be put on glucose drip - from the tube you see in the picture.