Help Sweet Nellie Get the Care She Deserves

Nellie is a 6-month-old kitten with the biggest heart in a tiny, 5lb body. She came to us as part of a litter of five, the smallest of her siblings and the one who needed a little extra love to catch up. Despite starting out with an upper respiratory infection, Nellie fought hard and grew into a happy, healthy kitten — playful, cuddly, and full of life. She kept with her siblings the entire way!

But about three weeks ago, things began to change. It started with cloudy eyes and mild irritation, which quickly progressed despite treatment. Her gorgeous green eyes are cloudy blue, purple, and red. Nellie’s eyesight has worsened and caused partial (hopefully temporary) blindness. Within the last week she’s also begun to lose partial control of her back legs. Her walk has become unsteady — like a “wobbly cat” — where her back legs don't always move with her. Still, her spirit hasn’t wavered for a second.

Even with these challenges, Nellie is still the same loving, curious little girl. She eats like a champ (even a hog at times), snuggles into her foster mom’s lap, loves on her resident cats, and insists on being part of everything. Her foster family has made adjustments to keep her safe, setting up bumpers and soft spots so she can still explore, jump on the couch, and play without getting hurt.

We’ve moved forward with extensive testing to uncover what’s causing Nellie’s decline. While her siblings and even the resident cats remain fully healthy, it seems Nellie’s fragile immune system — a disadvantage from being the runt — has left her vulnerable to infections. Our amazing vet team is working closely with us to give her a fair shot at a happy, full life while improving her current quality of life.

This little fighter has so much love to give, and we’re determined to give her the best chance possible. Every donation helps cover her testing, treatments, and current care. Even the smallest amount makes a huge difference in Nellie’s journey.

❤️ Please consider donating or sharing her story — together, we can help this mighty little girl live the joyful, safe life she deserves.