Karate Has Spent Years Looking Out for Her Community. Now She Needs Us

Five years ago, Karate was a community cat living in a neighborhood in South Carolina. A dedicated caregiver made sure she was TNR’d, so she would never have litter after litter of kittens born into the challenges of life outdoors.

For years, Karate quietly went about her life. After her caregiver moved away, her son continued feeding and watching over the community cats who remained behind. Then, suddenly, Karate disappeared.

She was gone for about a week before she finally returned — and when she did, it was clear that something terrible had happened. Karate was badly injured and limping. Something appears to have gotten ahold of her and degloved her foot, leaving a significant and painful wound.

Her rescuers immediately got her to the veterinarian, where she was anesthetized so her injury could be thoroughly examined and radiographs could be taken.

Thankfully, there were some important pieces of good news: nothing is broken, and Karate still has all of her toes. But her foot is seriously injured, and there is already concern that a bone infection could be beginning.

Karate has received antibiotics, but she isn't out of the woods. She needs ongoing wound care, veterinary follow-ups and close monitoring as her caregivers work to save her foot.

And there is something else we learned about Karate: she is FIV positive. That diagnosis doesn't change her worth. It doesn't change our commitment to her. And it certainly doesn't mean she deserves any less of a chance.

While Karate was receiving veterinary care, she was also brought up to date on her 3-year rabies vaccine and FVRCP vaccine — her first vaccinations since she was originally TNR’d all those years ago.

For the past five or six years, Karate has lived outside without producing a single litter because someone cared enough to have her spayed through TNR. Now, after all those years of simply surviving, Karate is the one who needs someone to care for her.

Our co-director and foster, Brianna, is taking Karate into her care during recovery. Brianna handles many of our wound-care cases and will be providing the hands-on care Karate needs while we fight to get her healthy again.

And after everything she has been through, Karate will not simply be returned to the exact same situation once her medical care is complete. We want to give this brave girl every reasonable chance at a safer future.

We never want a cat in need to have to wait simply because an emergency wasn't in the budget. But we need help covering the care Karate has already received — and the wound care and follow-up appointments still ahead. Please help us give Karate the chance she deserves. ❤️

Please donate if you can, and share her story if you can't. Every contribution brings this sweet community cat one step closer to healing.