Help us save this brave kitty

About the wonderful Gary

Gary is a sweet, affectionate street cat from Kyiv, Ukraine who’s been living as part of a cat colony his entire life of about 2-4 years. We’re a small group of international humanitarian and development workers and have been caring for Gary, and the colony, for the past year.

Gary has survived repeated missile strikes, drone attacks, aggressive dogs, and harsh winters of -20 degrees Celsius. But over the past few months Gary had been getting thinner and thinner, his skin was repeatedly blistering and ulcerating, and he was coming round to the colony less and less.

Then one day, Gary suddenly appeared dragging a completely shattered leg behind him - and then disappeared again. We tried to find him day in and day out, and when we did, he was so weak that crows were circling around him. We assume that Gary was hit by a car, which left him with multiple fractures.

He’s been in constant pain for the past few months, but he’s remained a sweet and loving boy throughout this trying period.

His Medical Journey So Far

In June, Gary underwent major surgery at VetFamily veterinary clinic to repair his injury, which the vets described as horrific. His leg was stabilized with external fixators, and he remained in in-patient care at Cat+Vet clinic for two months. Recently, we were able to move him into foster care so he could continue recovering in a calmer environment.

During his first week in foster, it became clear that something had gone wrong with the fixators. We rushed him to ArtVet clinic, where it was confirmed that the fixators had failed and had to be removed. Gary underwent another emergency surgery and is now recovering in a small crate to limit his movement as much as possible. At this stage, we still don’t know whether he will be able to keep his leg, but we are doing everything we can to support his recovery and ensure he receives the best care possible.

Throughout this incredibly difficult period, during which he has been constantly poked and prodded, Gary has remained trusting of humans and continues to seek out cuddles.

To give a clear picture of his injury and current condition, we’ve included two videos at the end. Please note that while there is no blood or gore, the first video shows his broken leg and the second shows the fixators, which some may find disturbing.

So far, over €2,500 has been spent on Gary’s surgery, hospitalization, and care — all fully covered out of pocket. The costs have been mainly covered by a single person in the group who is from the UK and whose account is directly associated with this fundraiser. No funds have been raised for his expenses yet, making this the very first fundraiser. All funds raised will cover Gary's past and future expenses.

The Challenges Ahead

Gary is only 2-4 years old, but his road to recovery is far from over. He has been diagnosed with FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) and chronic kidney disease, both requiring lifelong care. Additionally, his break means that he'll always be at a higher risk of joint diseases in older age.

Here’s a list of what his upcoming needs in the short to mid-term:

Our Goal

We are seeking to raise €5,000. This covers:

Why Abroad?

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, countless families have been forced to abandon their pets. Local shelters are overwhelmed and under-resourced. For cats like Gary, adoption abroad is his best chance to find a safe, stable, and loving home. We hope to send him to a forever family within the next 3 months.

Why We’re Asking for Help

Until now, our small group has covered every expense for Gary and the colony. We have never asked for support before, but Gary’s case is different: his medical costs are high, urgent, and ongoing. We simply cannot do it alone.

How You Can Help

Your donation, no matter the amount, will directly cover Gary’s medical care, special diet, and adoption preparation. Every contribution brings him one step closer to healing and to the home he deserves.

We’ve also recently started an Instagram account (@bravekitties.kyiv) where we share information and updates about the colony and Gary, giving a closer look at what we do and what we’re working toward.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with Gary. Your kindness means the world to us and to him!

Videos of Gary's Injury and Current Condition

Please note that while there is no blood or gore, the first video shows his broken leg, and the second reveals the fixators, which some may find disturbing.