Suncatcher Sanctuary

08/01/2024

Ziggy went to the vet this morning. This brave boy had a blood test done and tested negative for FIV, FeLV, and heartworm. However, he continues to have focal seizures, including one during the visit. His blood has also been sent to the lab to test for FIP, and we expect to hear back in a few days. This news has been tough for us, but we know we have the best support. Thank you to everyone who sent their love to Ziggy. Please consider donating toward today's visit or sharing his story so we can continue his care🩵

07/31/2024

Ziggy had a seizure last night💔 I called the vet and spoke over the phone. We are taking him tomorrow morning for a blood test in hopes of gaining more insight as well as eliminate probable causes. While we have been a step closer to stabilizing his inflammation in the brain, the seizure may be an indication of other neurological issues. Please send some sunshine and happy vibes to Ziggy🙏🌻

07/29/2024

Exciting Ziggy update! 🎉 Last week, we were offered an opportunity to visit another vet to better understand his condition and receive a second opinion. Ziggy’s neurological condition likely stems from the fact that he was found in a car engine and acquiring damage, rather than a congenital issue- our vet has also said this when we initially brought him in. The doctor noted his tail is also damaged, adding to the evidence. He’s now on medication to bring down inflammation in his brain and antibiotics for his tail. We've noticed positive changes, with Ziggy becoming more aware of his surroundings. His tail might fall off naturally, and the vet actually prefers that over surgery to avoid Ziggy being anesthetized. We will continue with his medication and observe for now to see how things go for him. Neurological conditions can be quite mysterious, so receiving some answers bring so much relief. A HUGE thank you to Team Charity Case for sponsoring this visit and supporting our Suncatchers as well as so many others! 💖

07/25/2024

Today marks our 2nd Anniversary🥳🌻✨

Two years ago, we began this journey with Cece, our very first rescue. Her resilience inspired us to create a sanctuary for special needs cats, and we wouldn’t be here without her.

Thanks to our amazing supporters, we’ve rescued over 50 special needs and hospice cats since our founding. Your kindness makes this possible!

To celebrate, please consider donating $2, $22, or $222 in honor of our anniversary. Your donations support our current Suncatchers and help fund our dream of having our own facility one day. 💖

Thank you for being a part of our journey. Together, we can keep saving lives!

07/23/2024

Boo (aka Bremen) is the fluffiest and most lovable boy around! 😻 Just look at that luxurious neck fluff and adorable face. Boo is always ready for cuddles and a good time. Who else loves a cat with a mane like this? 🦁

07/23/2024

Dusk's right eye is looking so much better🎉 It makes us so happy to see him go from a shy, scared stray kitten to a kitten who is learning how to play with toys, flopping to show his belly, and receiving love in a safe environment🥰😻 This is all possible thanks to the support we're receiving from you!🌻

07/20/2024

Courtesy Post:
Meet Shire, the sweetest little adventurer! 🐾 This energetic boy loves being around people and playing. While he has a unique way of moving and eating, Shire's spirit is unstoppable. Shire's rescuer does not know whether his ataxia is caused from a mild case of cerebellar hypoplasia or a spinal injury. He enjoys wet food and can jump on lower surfaces, though he needs a little help with higher spots.

Shire is super affectionate, loves pets, and enjoys sleeping next to you. He's already fixed, vaccinated, and will be microchipped. Shire needs a loving home where he can receive medical care and lots of love.

If you can give Shire the forever home he needs, please contact [email protected]. Let's help Shire find his perfect family! 💖

07/17/2024

It's not just Bibi—lots of our Suncatchers think Dixie, our paralyzed pug's wheelchair is the perfect napping spot! Our kitties sure know how to get comfy😻✨

07/15/2024

Look who's growing up! 🎉 Ziggy is now a tiny bit over 2 lbs, a huge leap from his tiny 1.2 lbs at his vet visit! Thank you to everyone who has donated towards his MRI so far. 💖 "

07/11/2024

🌟 Look at Kona go! Our brave girl with moderate CH has been conquering short cat trees and caves lately. It may seem small to some, but we’re in awe of her progress after 2 years with us. Keep shining, Kona! 💖

07/09/2024

We received several requests to build a fundraiser specifically for Ziggy's MRI so we created one. To be honest, I was a little hesitant because it would normally take us several months to raise $5000 and that is if we had zero expenses. We have no idea if we reach our goal but we have hope and faith in our community! We currently have over 8000 followers on this platform. If each person donated $1, we will easily be able to reach our goal! Please consider donating or sharing. (Sharing is incredibly valuable!!!) Thank you all for loving Ziggy🩵

Meet Ziggy, a tiny survivor with a story that tugs at our hearts. Rescued from a car engine with his siblings, Ziggy was the only one who made it through. Initially believed to have cerebellar hypoplasia and blindness, Ziggy was transferred to Sun...

07/07/2024

Update: They went to an experienced bottle feeder🎉 These 2 bottle babies came to us yesterday as temporary fosters from another rescue (the same rescue who reached out about Ziggy!) because the kitten in the first photo has swimmers syndrome. Her brother has no issues, but didn't want to separate the two! The kitten with swimmers is actually doing really well with some physical therapy and should gain enough muscle to catch up to her brother in no time. We're hoping they can return to the original rescue next week and eventually find forever homes. So happy that we're able to lend a helping hand to other rescues from time to time and it's all thanks to the support that we're continuing to receive from you all!
If you would like to support us, we are always grateful for monetary contribution so we can continue supporting our community cats with special needs💛

07/05/2024

A few weeks ago, we were mentally preparing ourselves to saying goodbye to Joyce as we saw a decline in her. We are delighted to report that she has bounced back, eating and running again for her nightly treats that she enjoys! Just to recap, this senior girl came from the shelter as a hospice case (we call it Sunset Care☀️) and we didn't think she would even make it a week with the condition she was in. That was back in March and we're so happy to be able to continue providing care for her! Go Joyce🩶✨

07/04/2024

Ziggy just came back from the vet! He was observed throughout the day and here are some findings: Firstly, he ate during his visit which is great🎉 He also ate with me this morning and the diarrhea from yesterday might have been a minor one time GI issue. Our vet examined his eyes and it's difficult to tell whether he is actually blind or is just slow to react due to his cognitive ability. Lastly, Ziggy may actually not have cerebellar hypoplasia and have a neurological issue related to either hydrocephalus, not having enough oxygen during birth, or other underlying issue that only an MRI will provide an answer to. We simply don't have the funds for an MRI so we will continue to take it day by day. What is most important to us right now is that he continues to eat and gains strength. Thank you to everyone who sent positive energy last night. He has been stable and that's all we hope for💕 Please consider donating or sharing towards Ziggy's visit today so we can continue to provide the care🩵

07/03/2024

Of course as soon as I post a happy update, something not so great happens😣 When feeding this morning, I noticed Ziggy wasn't as enthusiastic about eating and only ate half of his meal. I immediately called my vet and they were thankfully able to squeeze us in tomorrow morning for a drop off. He ate some more and had Churu in between. I have been spending almost the entire day right next to him to ensure he is stable. I am really hoping that this is an easily solvable issue. We would love to continue to post positive, uplifting stories after the heartbreaking losses we have recently experienced. Please send positive energy to Ziggy🙏🙏🙏

07/01/2024

Ziggy is growing strong each day✨ His gait has more strength, eats very well, and we are communicating better as I learn more about his unique body language. In my experience, each CH case is quite unique (+ he is blind which makes him extra special!) and I find joy in learning what their specific needs look like. Thanks to your generosity and compassion, he has a few boxes of food in stock, feeding syringes, and pillows to support his wiggly body. Ziggy is sending love to you all💕

07/01/2024

We sadly lost Rosie early Wednesday morning to an unknown cause💔 She had a vet appointment that very morning due to her appetite being low but sadly did not make it. We have received several comments of how disappointing it is to see a kitten with such a minor tail injury to be at risk for euthanasia. However, we've had cases like this which ended up being quite complicated and were bracing ourselves to give the best care that we can for Rosie. I wish that we were able to provide just that and more. This week has been rough with two losses of very special, beautiful souls. Words cannot describe our gratitude for the immense support that we have been receiving from our community. Thank you for following and supporting our small sanctuary.

We love you Rosie.

06/25/2024

Our pretty girl Rosie💓 She is using diapers as she leaks and has a pretty bad urine scald right now. I'm applying Vaseline to protect the area. Poor girl is not happy about this but hopefully it heals soon. We also have a new kitten that came to us last week and haven't had a chance to introduce yet in the back. Stay tuned for his info🌻

06/24/2024

This is going to be a long, heavy post so please skip if needed. I took Stardust to the ER around 1:30 PM on Saturday due to him not eating and vomiting. When I expressed his bladder before leaving, it was a deep yellow color, indicating that he was dehydrated. Upon arrival, because his vitals were considered stable (pale pink gums, no fever), he was eligible for drop off and would have to wait several hours to be seen. We were ensured that he would be monitored through a glass window. I waited anxiously but finally gave a call around 8:30 PM to check on him. I was told that it's been "one of those days" where emergencies kept coming in and that the vet is about to examine him very soon. About 15 minutes later, I received a call from the vet that he already passed about 45 min- 1 hour ago. He was never examined. I went to the hospital to retrieve his body and demanded more explanation. The tech came in and explained that he was being monitored, offered food and water which he didn't touch. Around 7:15 PM was the last time that a tech checked on him so he passed after that time. Stardust patiently waited for hours in a cage to receive help and practically nothing was done on him besides the staff offering food and water. He died in a cage alone. I am still shocked, confused, and devastated with everything that happened. I understand that even if he were to receive treatment, there was no guarantee that he would survive. But the reason I rushed him to the ER was to receive some form of treatment in a timely manner. I am sorry to everyone who donated and the money is being used on his aftercare instead of towards his recovery. I am sorry that I didn't take him in sooner. I am sorry that I went to a different hospital, instead of the one I've been to and trusted. I am sorry that I still have an unopened bag of diapers that was donated towards Stardust. I promise it will be used for another kitty in need. And most importantly, I am so so so sorry, Stardust. I failed you. I wanted you to at least be in my arms in the last moments. I love you and thank you for coming to me under my care. Your life mattered.

06/22/2024

🆘Our paralyzed kitten, Stardust is at the ER and we need your help🆘 He stopped eating on Thursday and began vomiting. We immediately made an appointment but the soonest availability was Monday. We were hoping to not have to resort to taking him to the ER, but here we are. We dropped him off and was told to come back as the wait would be several hours. Our initial deposit is $200 and we don't know what the final cost would be at this point. We are still financially recovering from our last ER visit with Cielo and cannot continue without your help. Please donate and/ or share about this fundraiser. Thank you very much.

06/21/2024

Rosie visited the vet and there are quite a few things to break down. Firstly, our vet suspects that her condition is congenital and has something called Spina Bifida, an abnormal development of the spine. A major finding and concern is that her spinal fluid is leaking due to a small opening by her tail. This will most likely need to be surgically closed up and she will stay on antibiotics in the meantime to prevent any infections. Our suspicion about stool blockage was correct, and she had an e***a done. I have been keeping a close eye on her and believe she will need to have both her bladder and bowels expressed for the rest of her life. Rosie absolutely hates having her bowels expressed (understandable), so we will begin giving her stool softener to see if that helps ease the discomfort as well as prevent another blockage. This isn't the best news, but we hope her day to day life will become less complicated as we spend more time together and figure out how to work with her needs in the best way. We are so grateful that we had some donations left from our last fundraiser, and our goal is to reach $200 from this visit. Thank you to everyone who watched Rosie's video yesterday and sending positivity💗 Please consider donating or sharing about the fundraiser so we can continue our care for the new kittens! ✨

06/19/2024

Our very first cat walk is slooooowly being built out! Since I'm not handy, I'm quite proud of putting this up on the wall 😁 Miss Teapot bravely volunteered to be the first tester and I think she's quite fond of it💕

06/17/2024

Stardust visited the vet today⭐ While he didn't show signs of pain when his feet were pinched, he still seemed to feel some sensation which is great news. Seeing that his tail also slightly moves, our vet is cautiously optimistic that he may gain a bit more mobility than where he is at now with some physical therapy. Stardust was a purr machine at the vet and did really well! He received medication and thanks to everyone's generous contribution, our medical bill is already covered! We will keep everyone updated with more heat melting posts💕

06/15/2024

Joyce hasn't been doing well💔 Her appetite is low and has been avoidant. Due to her being in the end stage of renal disease, there isn't much to be done at this point but to provide her with supportive care and love. Please send your loving energy to sweet Joyce🙏 Thank you so much🩶

06/13/2024

Thank you all so much for contributing and sharing towards Stardust's care!✨ Although we're unsure of what the total vet bill would look like, it's a huge relief to know that we have starter funds. Stardust is eating well and getting his bladder expressed 4 times a day. This must be a huge change and adjustment for him, but he is incredibly sweet and handles everything like a champ. Stardust loves cuddling his little bear that was originally Asha's. Saying goodbye to Asha has been particularly hard on me, so being able to take care of this little guy has been a healing experience. Thank you all for supporting us in what we do. We will continue to strive to save special needs cats💪⭐

06/06/2024

Bibi enjoyed 20 minutes in the yard this morning before the high temp hit. We are already reaching 110+ degree weather here in Phoenix and the season where SAD begins to kick in. Hope our friends in the valley who are busy caring for cats and dogs in need are also taking care of themselves🌻💛

06/05/2024

Just wanted to share this happy face🌻 Miss Teapot still has flare ups with her facial dermatitis but it definitely looks better overall. She gets her face wiped daily and loves to swish her tail as she relaxes in one of her favorite spots of the sanctuary🧡

06/02/2024

🚨SOS EMERGENCY🚨 We took in this kitten, Cielo, yesterday after receiving an emergency plea from our rescue partner. He was bit by an animal in his neck which caused mobility issues. He began having diarrhea in the middle of the night last night, and rushed him to the ER after noticing extreme lethargy, pale gums, and weak meows of clear discomfort. The estimate for the visit and immediate care alone is already between $600-1000. I am still at the ER and he is being taken care of as I write this. We don't want to lose this little guy and would really like to see him thrive. Please consider donating any amount you can and share about Cielo to reach more supporters. Thank you so much.

🆘Update: Cielo tested positive for feline panleukopenia and is being hospitalized overnight. The total estimate is now over $3300. We are a small rescue and need all of the help we can get.

05/31/2024

Paralyzed cats like to be up high too! Orion enjoyed the perch and watched me work in front of my computer today😊💕 (Thank you to the amazing donor for gifting us this perch a couple months ago! The Suncatchers love it!)

05/30/2024

Priscilla has been showing some signs of improvement which is great! Her appetite has increased and we are noticing that her water intake has slowed down. She has also recently turned into a lap cat and will hang out with me for 30 min-1 hr and cherish every moment of that🥰 We will go back to the vet soon for another blood test. Thank you for sending Priscilla your love💕