The Inspiration
Meet Kai and Bima
OUR INSPIRATION
Kai and Bima's Stories
Victims of Circumstances Beyond their Control
As older animals with health and behavioral issues, Kai and Bima were fortunate.
They landed in excellent shelters and were adopted into their forever
home to enjoy their senior years.
But without planning, there are no guarantees.
Kai’s Story:
Kai was a beautiful, blue-eyed 13-year-old seal point Siamese who was relinquished after his original owner, Marilyn, passed away unexpectedly. Marilyn had five dogs in addition to Kai. She did not pre-plan for her pets, and they were taken to the county shelter.
Kai was eventually sheltered at the Evergreen Animal Protection League (EAPL) for three months. We adopted Kai and gave him a forever home where he could enjoy his senior year. He was a wonderful addition to our family.
We became aware of Kai after losing our last remaining cat, Tootsie, to cancer. Tootsie had been a part of our family for 11 years. Her loss was heartbreaking and created a significant void. We’ve always had at least two or more cats in our home. However, as we considered adopting another cat, we struggled with concerns about the appropriate age and cat care costs. We worried about adopting a cat that might be too young and outlive us, and the expenses for Tootsie’s cancer treatment and passing were substantial.
Although Kai received excellent care from both shelters, he faced several health issues. Some could be attributed to his age, while others might stem from the trauma of his sudden separation from Marilyn, his only owner. In addition to losing 4 lbs., he developed irritable bowel syndrome, chronic diarrhea, frequent vomiting, and ulcers in both his lips and stomach.
During his three months with EAPL, volunteers worked hard to nurse him back to health. He had made progress but still needed a permanent home and ongoing veterinary care to regain his strength and thrive fully. We bonded immediately after meeting Kai at the Cat Room, a communal space for prospective owners to visit, view, and adopt the cats in EAPL’s care. To ensure our mutual success, EAPL covered the ongoing veterinarian costs.
He was the perfect fit—a wonderful, loving, and affectionate cat. Head-to-head rubs and snuggles quickly became routine. I often woke up to find him sleeping on my shoulder, his head resting next to mine. For a time, he thrived, gained weight, was full of energy, actively hunted, and played like a kitten. He was a fantastic addition to our family.
Bima’s Story:
Bima was a sweet, shy, and reserved 12.5-year-old Manx tabby cat who had been abandoned twice. We adopted her in May 2023. During her senior year, Bima spent her time sleeping, exploring the garden for fresh catnip to lie in, or lounging in a sunny window. She was an excellent addition to our family.
The details surrounding her initial abandonment remain unclear. She was first rescued in Littleton, Colorado, where Bima appeared thin, starving, sickly, and extremely frightened. A woman discovered and befriended her then took Bima to the vet. After learning that Bima had hyperthyroidism and would need either costly iodine radiation treatment or daily medication, the woman abandoned Bima at the vet’s office, prompting the vet to contact Evergreen Animal Protection League (EAPL).
Bima spent a year recovering at the Evergreen Cat Lodge, a premier commercial cat boarding facility. The Evergreen Cat Lodge collaborates with EAPL to care for abandoned or surrendered newborn kittens and cats that are either too young or not suitable for the EAPL Cat Room, offering the crucial time and attention necessary to prepare them for adoption.
To further enhance Bima’s chances of adoption, EAPL treated her hyperthyroidism with expensive iodine radiation therapy, eliminating the need for daily medication. However, like Kai, Bima faced additional medical and behavioral issues related to her age, likely stemming in part from her abandonment and requiring ongoing veterinary care that EAPL covered.