Kitten come lioness, with legs or without

FOURWAYS - Little Ariel is fighting an uphill battle after suffering a severed spine, but her owner, AJ Visser, is refusing to give up on her fur-child.

February 23, 2015

Joni Tollner 1 minute read

Want your heart to melt? Then just look at Ariel.

Ariel was born five months ago as part of a hand-reared litter of healthy kittens. Sadly, shortly before they could be put up for adoption, Ariel suffered a severe spinal injury and lost the use of her hind legs.

It was suspected that a maintenance man at the residence either accidentally fell or stood on the kitten, but the man had denied doing so.

Visser, originally thought that putting the kitten down would be best, but after seeing what a fighting spirit the little animal had, Visser decided that Ariel needs a second chance at living a normal feline life.

“Through the last couple of months, she has been receiving a lot of physiotherapy and is slowly regaining movement and feeling in her legs,” said Visser happily. “She is alert and healthy otherwise and loves to play, even though her back legs just won’t work with her.

“Although she is unable to stand properly, nothing keeps my little ‘lioness’ down.”

Visser has duly been paying for therapy for Ariel once a week and is struggling to keep up with the kitten’s various needs. She has, however, committed tooth and nail to see that Ariel walks again.

“Thus I am asking for support from warm hearts everywhere,” requested Visser. “Ariel has needs that I just cannot provide on my own. I would greatly appreciate any assistance anyone can offer.”

If any animal lovers in the Fourways area could help with the following items, Ariel will be forever grateful:

Assistance with therapy payments
A ramp or two to help Ariel get around the home
A ‘drag-bag’ from HandicappedPets, which will allow Ariel to move more freely without risking further injury
Help with building an outside enclosure where Ariel can play instead of having to stay inside while Visser goes to work