In February 2015, Katie stumbled upon a Facebook post by Perth Rescue Angels about Bowie, a cute cat with special needs that needed a foster home. Instantly attracted to the fluffy tabby and white cat with radial hypoplasia (RH), Katie felt compelled to help. The post indicated that urgent care was needed to save Bowie from being euthanized, and Katie jumped into action to offer assistance before it was too late.
Katie shared that Bowie, a local vet in Perth, Western Australia, has been looking for a forever home for a while now. Despite his condition of radial hypoplasia, which affects the length of his radius bones in his front legs due to a genetic mutation, Bowie has yet to find a loving family to adopt him.
Thesweetestmeow posted a picture of Bowie on Instagram. Despite his congenital condition not impacting his mobility or quality of life significantly, the animal shelter was struggling to find him a permanent home, leading to plans of euthanasia. Fortunately, Perth Rescue Angels stepped in, saving Bowie’s life. They reached out on social media in hopes of finding a foster family for the fluffy feline.
After stumbling upon his photo on their social media page, Katie had an epiphany – it was time to take the plunge and try her hand at fostering a cat. Despite having no experience caring for a feline, especially one with special needs like Bowie, Katie knew she couldn’t sit idly by and do nothing. Determined to make a difference, she took the leap and applied to become a foster caregiver for Perth Rescue Angels. To her delight, Katie’s application was accepted, and she eagerly made plans to pick up Bowie from a kind representative of the non-profit organization.
Katie fondly remembers the day she met the woman who brought Bowie home from the vet in an underground car park at Ikea. During the hour-long drive, Bowie remained quiet and composed. When Bowie finally arrived at Katie’s foster home, her dogs immediately embraced him, leading Katie to make the decision to adopt her first cat within a week. Katie knew almost instantly that Bowie had found his permanent home because her dogs adored him so much.
It’s been more than three years since Katie first met Bowie, the charming special needs cat. Despite a few unexpected twists and turns, Bowie is thriving and enjoying life to the fullest.
Katie, who adopted him in 2015, thought that the fluffy guy was around two years old at that time. However, a recent discovery suggests he might actually be closer to 10 years old. Bowie, as he is affectionately called, has been dealing with some health issues lately, such as kidney problems, which are more common in older cats. After a sudden visit to the vet, he was diagnosed with renal disease.
Katie recounts how her cat suddenly became ill, exhibiting symptoms such as vomiting, excessive drinking, and loss of appetite. Further tests showed that his kidneys were only functioning at five percent capacity, making it impossible to determine the cause of his kidney failure through a biopsy.
Great news! Bowie has made a remarkable recovery after a short hospital stay and has been able to return home. Katie has been taking excellent care of him ever since, following a special diet and taking him to the vet for regular check-ups. Bowie appears to be enjoying his new diet, which is low in protein. According to Katie, the vet suspects that Bowie’s kidney issues may be linked to his genetic abnormalities, but nothing is certain yet.
In a recent post shared by @thesweetestmeow on Instagram, Katie opened up about her experiences with Bowie’s condition, radial hypoplasia. Despite facing some medical professionals who suggested euthanizing Bowie due to his condition, Katie is determined not to consider that as an option. She believes that Bowie may be a bit slower and tires more easily than other cats, but she is committed to giving him the love and care he needs to live a happy and fulfilling life.
Katie revealed on her Instagram that two different vets recommended putting her pet to sleep because they believed he would be difficult to care for and might have health issues in the future. Despite there being no medical justification for euthanasia, this advice upset her greatly.
Meet Bowie, a cat around 10 years old who requires no special treatment. Katie, his caretaker, is happy to give him the love and understanding he needs to enjoy a content and healthy life. “I simply let Bowie guide me on what he needed, and I didn’t need to make any significant changes,” Katie explains. This handsome feline delights in his favorite activities: eating, napping, and engaging in playtime.
According to Katie, “Bowie enjoys playing with toys, especially interactive ones he can nibble on. He adores being held and cuddled. It’s quite endearing when I wake up in the middle of the night to find him snuggled up to my ear, snoring away.”
Since deciding to adopt Bowie three years ago, Katie has been inspired to foster and adopt other cats with special needs. She ensures that this senior boy feels secure and unthreatened by the other cats in his environment. Although Katie has welcomed four more unique kitties into her home since, Bowie, her initial feline companion, holds a special place in her heart.
Through Bowie, Katie has gained valuable insights about the role of cats in society and the importance of rescuing them. She has begun to educate others about feline care, making her a passionate advocate for special needs cats. She hopes to encourage more individuals to consider adopting cats like Bowie, emphasizing that they deserve the same love and care as any other pet.
Reflecting on her bond with Bowie, Katie shares, “I didn’t choose him specifically for his special needs; rather, I felt drawn to help a cat in need. I didn’t seek him out, but he found me, and I couldn’t be happier about that.” Join Bowie on Instagram to learn more about this charming cat.
