A brave cat who survived being abandoned and hit by a car has been hailed a hero for becoming a “beacon of hope to others”.
Meatball the cat is the first Hugo’s Hero Award winner - run by Westport Vets Practice - in honour of beloved Labrador Hugo who saved his owner’s life.
Starting his life as a stray, Meatball is a survivor of tragic events - losing a leg because of the accident - whose strength has been used to help others who are going through difficult times.
The courageous cat has provided “comfort, inspiration and motivation to many people through difficult times” while nearly £900 has been raised for Cat’s Protection charity to help fellow stray cats in his honour.
Meatball’s story began several years ago as a stray. He began visiting the Kershaw family, Clare, Daniel and their children Sophie (13) and Jack (9) through their cat flap and eating their own cat’s food.
The family said he was such a handsome boy but was in a bedraggled state, with ticks on his face and matted fur.
Despite the family’s own cat’s protests, they did all they could to encourage him to stay inside, in the hope that they could help him. Initially he was terrified of humans and would snarl at them and run away whenever they approached him. Not giving up on him the family persevered, building his confidence and gaining his trust.
But sadly one day Meatball dragged himself through the cat flap seriously injured after being hit by a car.
Daniel explained: “His back legs were in a bad way and he was crying out in pain asking for our help.
“We were told that he had a fractured pelvis and would also need one of his legs amputated immediately with a 50/50 chance of survival. “Although it was very expensive, we agreed to personally fund the operation, as the only alternative was to put him to sleep and no way were we going to let that happen to Meatball.”
Meatball’s surgery was successful but he sadly lost his leg..
However, this recovery was just the beginning of his battle. The accident had left further damage to his body, resulting in Meatball being unable to pass urine without assistance.
Their vets advised the family that this may not be due to nerve damage but could be because Meatball was still in great pain and needed time to heal. As he could not empty his bladder himself, the family paid for hospitalisation at the vets after the operation to allow them to assist with this.
Throughout this time with the additional cost of him being kept under veterinary care, an unexpected part of the original plan for him, meant the family’s funds became increasing lower and were running out.
Daniel continued: “We weren’t keen on the idea of crowd funding at first, but after being touched by Meatball’s plight, friends came forward keen to help him and persuaded us to setup a GoFundMe page.
“After posting his page on social media, Meatball’s story went viral with hundreds of shares. Donations came in from friends and strangers around the globe.
“But I would often leave the vets saddened at each day that passed without him being able to pee. Every time the vet phoned we hoped and prayed that it would be the good news we were waiting for, but alas it never came.
“With his final vet’s appointment looming in two hours and with a very heavy heart I went to fetch the shed key, in order to dig a grave in the garden. Just as I opened the drawer, I noticed out of the corner of my eye that he had climbed onto his cat litter and then to my absolute astonishment and delight he proceeded to do the biggest pee I have ever known a cat to do! We couldn’t believe it, our family had experienced a roller coaster of emotions over the previous month and he had kept us in suspense until the very end. When we announced the amazing news, all of Meatballs fans on the internet went wild!
“Since that day Meatball has went from strength to strength, he has provided comfort, inspiration and motivation to my family and friends through many difficult times and has went on to raise almost £900 for Cat’s Protection to help fellow stray cats, through a virtual running challenge, in which his face appeared on the medals.
“He is a very loving family cat, a true survivor and a beacon of hope to many in these difficult times. Love can conquer adversity.”
Hugo’s Hero Award is a special award by Westport Veterinary Clinic which launched in January 2022.
An annual award created in memory of Hugo the Labrador who was the first Local Canine Hero Award winner of Westport Vets Local Hero Awards back in March 2021.
He was recognised for helping to save the life of his owner Brian Watson. Hugo’s sheer love and devotion for Brian meant he never left his side when Brian fell face down into freezing canal water, alerting passers by who helped Brian.
In November 2021, Hugo then went on to win the Dog Aid Society of Scotland’s Bravery Award for his actions. However, shortly after the bravery award was announced, Hugo sadly passed away.
A spokesperson for Westport said: “Animals play such an incredible role in our lives and Westport Vets aim with this award is to celebrate this. We also want to help another animals, in memory of Hugo, to celebrate their story.
“We are excited to share Meatball’s wonderful legacy with the world.”
Don't miss the latest news from the West Lothian Courier. Sign up to our free newsletter here
