‘Pumpkin’ the stray cat needs surgery… and a kind Cork bakery has stepped up to help
Fancy making a new furry friend?
The charming Diva Boutique Bakery in Ballinspittle has proven that not all heroes wear capes; sometimes, they wear aprons and wield rolling pins.
With a local stray cat called Carrotcake/Pumpkin (depending on who you ask) battling obvious ear cancer and the chill of the impending winter whistling through the village, the kind-hearted folks at Diva decided to step in.
Surgery was the order of the day, and while the street-savvy kitty is on the mend, the vet bill has exceeded €200.
Now the popular bakery has set up a small donation box, inviting anyone with a soft spot for furry friends to contribute. Any extra money raised will go to the Community Cats Network and assist Carrotcake/ Pumpkin with any future surgeries.
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Shannen Keane, the passionate owner of Diva’s, told Yay Cork: “Years ago in Ballinspittle, we had a feral cat issue. The amazing Community Cats Network initiated a community trap, neuter, and release programme to control the population.
“Carrotcake, as we affectionately called her, is an older gal, possibly around eight or nine years old, and we believe she’s from that programme. She found her way to our bakery back in August and while we were looking after her as best we could, with the weather getting colder, we simply couldn’t turn a blind eye to her suffering.”
While the bakery was able to offer her a helping paw with surgery, loyal Diva’s customer and artist Steph Ayres, was able to open her home to Pumpkin, as she has now named her.
The pair are navigating the joys of cohabitation, with Steph’s resident cat, Rumi, also in the mix. The hope is that the two felines will form an adorable friendship. But, in case they don’t see eye-to-eye, the quest will be on to find a loving home where Pumpkin can thrive.
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If you fancy being a hero to Pumpkin, consider making a donation at Diva. While you’re at it, pick up one of their huge sausage sandwiches to go.
