Upon stumbling across a Facebook post by Perth Rescue Angels in February 2015 about Bowie, a cat with special needs in need of a foster home, Katie immediately felt the urge to lend a helping hand. Bowie, a fluffy tabby and white feline with radial hypoplasia (RH), was at risk of being euthanized if a suitable foster home couldn’t be found quickly. Katie vividly recalls the sense of urgency in the post, as the rescue group scrambled to secure care for Bowie before the veterinary clinic closed for the day.
According to Katie, Bowie is a cat with radial hypoplasia who has been staying at a vet’s office in Perth, Western Australia for the past few months. Unfortunately, despite their efforts, no one has stepped forward to adopt him. Radial hypoplasia is a condition caused by a gene mutation which results in unusually short radius bones in the forelegs of cats like Bowie.
A photo posted by @thesweetestmeow on Instagram shows Bowie, a furry feline with a congenital condition that didn’t impact his mobility or well-being significantly. Despite this, the veterinary office couldn’t find a permanent home for him and considered euthanasia as an option. Luckily, Perth Rescue Angels stepped in to save Bowie’s life and used social media to search for a temporary foster family for him.
After stumbling upon Bowie’s picture on their social media page, Katie decided that it was the perfect opportunity to dip her toes into the world of cat fostering. Despite having zero experience in caring for felines, let alone those with special needs, Katie felt a strong urge to make a difference and not just sit idly by. With her application approved, she eagerly made arrangements to collect Bowie from a representative of Perth Rescue Angels, the non-profit organization she was now affiliated with.
“I remember meeting the woman who brought him from the vet in an underground carpark at Ikea,” Katie recalls. “He was quiet during the entire hour-long drive home.” When Bowie got to his temporary home, Katie’s dogs immediately bonded with him, prompting her to make the decision to adopt her first cat within a week. “I could tell pretty soon, especially with how well my dogs treated him, that he had found his permanent place,” Katie explains.
Over three years have passed since Katie first met Bowie, the charming special needs cat, and he is still thriving despite a few unexpected twists and turns.
According to Katie, who adopted him in 2015, the cat was thought to be around two years old initially. However, she has now discovered that he is more likely around 10 years old. Senior cats like Bowie are more susceptible to kidney failure, and after a sudden visit to the vet, he was diagnosed with renal disease.
Katie described how quickly her cat’s health had deteriorated, with symptoms like vomiting, increased water intake, and loss of appetite. The blood tests revealed that his kidneys were only functioning at five percent, making it impossible to determine the exact cause of his kidney failure through a biopsy.
Luckily, after a short hospital stay, Bowie showed remarkable improvement and was able to leave the veterinary clinic feeling much better. Since then, Katie has been effectively controlling Bowie’s kidney disease with a specialized diet and regular check-ups at the vet. According to Katie, “He’s really taken to his special low-protein diet, he absolutely loves it.” The vet suspects that Bowie’s kidney issues may be linked to his genetic abnormalities, but aside from that, the exact cause remains unknown.
The picture shared by @thesweetestmeow on Instagram shows Katie’s beloved cat Bowie, who has radial hypoplasia. Despite facing some judgment from medical professionals suggesting euthanasia due to his condition, Katie is determined to provide love and care to Bowie, who may be a little slower and tire more easily than other cats.
Katie shared on Instagram that two vet clinics recommended euthanizing her pet because they believed he would be difficult to care for and may face potential health issues in the future. Katie was outraged by their suggestion as there was no medical necessity for putting him down.
The Instagram account @thesweetestmeow features Bowie, a senior cat estimated to be around 10 years old, who doesn’t require many special accommodations. Katie, Bowie’s devoted owner, is more than willing to provide him with the love and patience he needs for a happy and healthy life. Katie lets Bowie guide her on what he needs, without making significant adjustments to her routine.
Bowie enjoys his favorite activities of eating, sleeping, and playing, particularly with interactive toys that he can bite. Katie shares how Bowie loves being carried around and cuddled, even snuggling up to her ear while he snores during the night. Since adopting Bowie three years ago, Katie has been motivated to foster and adopt other special needs cats, ensuring that Bowie feels safe and comfortable in his home with other feline companions.
While Katie has since adopted four more special needs cats, Bowie will always hold a special place in her heart as her first cat. Bowie has taught Katie a great deal about cats and the importance of rescuing them, sparking her passion to educate others about feline care and needs.
Katie now advocates for cats with special needs, hoping to inspire more people to consider adopting unique felines like Bowie. She believes that these cats deserve love and care just like any other cat, emphasizing that when she took in Bowie, she didn’t see him as a special needs cat but simply as a cat in need.
Reflecting on the moment she met Bowie, Katie recalls that she wasn’t actively seeking a pet, but Bowie’s presence in her life brought her immense joy. For those interested in learning more about Bowie, they can follow his journey on Instagram.
