Sparky Candy and Coal

Hi, My name is Jo and My son & I live in the Downend/Fishponds area of Bristol. We adopted four feral cats. Two boys six years ago, Coal and Sparky, then two girls Candy and Floss back in 2020.

In June 2018 my son and I got back from a concert to find Coal collapsed in the conservatory bleeding, rushed him to the vets to find he had been shot with an air rifle. He has recovered but as it went in 7.5cms it’s in too far to remove so he lives with it now.

Then last October 2021,my 12 year old son found Candy lifeless and we had to find someone to rush her to the vets. We both had covid at the time so could not go with her. She had been poisoned and had organ failure and the kindest thing was to put her to sleep. All this had to be done over the phone because we couldn’t leave the house . We never said goodbye.

Then two weeks ago on July 20th 2022, I woke up to my 6am alarm as normal and went down to feed the cats and make coffee to find Sparky collapsed on the conservatory floor. I cannot explain the deja vu thoughts of emotions that went through my whole self. Sparky had been shot by an air rifle.

Unfortunately his pellet has entered where his vital organs are so he had to under go an operation to make sure they were all still intact. Apart from knowing about his kidneys, we know everything else is ok. He is recovering and doing very well. He still has internal swelling and bleeding which is to be expected for short term future because they couldn’t give him the normal metacam because of his kidneys. Sparky also now has the pellet still in him.

The police are doing what they can to find who is responsible but instincts are that it’s someone who doesn’t like cats in their garden. 

This third act of cruelty really effected me emotionally and mentally and still is. It’s been in the Bristol Post and The Voice and I am very grateful for that. I am also very grateful for all the support I’ve had. Now unfortunately I am left with vet bills on credit with my bank that I can’t afford because of some vile person. Over the last few days I have been messaged by quite a lot of people suggesting I do this…so here I am