The streets of Calabria are tough for any animal without a home. But for the little cat Marco, they turned into hell the day he was hit by a car and left alone on the road. His story is one of survival against all odds, and despite his suffering, he has an insatiable spirit to stay alive.

With a broken jaw, half blind and near death, a small miracle brought Marco to Dottoressa Mariateresa's Vetinary Clinic in Roccella. Here, animals that have been abandoned or mistreated always find treatment, shelter and love. Marco has already undergone some surgeries, and meanwhile can savour every cuddle he gets.

But for Marco to lead a happy life, he needs specialised surgery to close a hole in his palate, allowing him to eat and live without pain. This life-saving procedure comes with significant costs.

Any amount you can donate will help to fund Marco’s surgery and subsequent medical care. You can also make a difference by sharing Marco’s story to friends, family or on social media.

Thank you for your generosity and kindness.

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Another background to this fundraiser: We are Australians sailing the Mediterranean. By chance we overwintered in Roccella / Calabria, the rugged foot of Italy where street animals and particularly stray cats are a sad part of the landscape. Not considered worthy of much thought and rarely receiving any compassion, they are at best ignored. Here we got to know Dottoressa Mariateresa and her cousin Emilia, who stand out by opening their veterinary clinic, their home and their hearts to these animals. Their dedication to animal welfare is nothing but inspiring, and Marco is just one of many animals lucky enough to get much needed treatment and love here.