16/08/2026
Behind the scenes with Ivy ❤️
Most of the time when we post about Ivy, she’s relaxing or pottering around the garden but this is the bit you don’t usually see.
Because of Ivy’s neurological problems, she is doubly incontinent, so giving her the freedom to enjoy her life while keeping her clean, comfortable and healthy means rather a lot goes on behind the scenes every single day.
There are puppy pads, lots of them. Bedding and washable pads are constantly being changed and laundered. There are gloves, cotton wool, wet wipes, paper roll, disinfectant, antiseptic wash, hand sanitiser and bags for everything that needs disposing of.
There is her Metacam, filtered water and sunscreen for those little white ears. Her urine is regularly checked with dipsticks too, because recurrent urinary infections are an ongoing concern, and will remain so.
Then there’s Ivy’s environment itself. Her sleeping areas and walkways have been specially adapted and enclosed so she can move around and look out of her summer house window without the risk of jumping or falling from a height and further injuring her spine. She has ramps and steps, cosy beds, toys, and safe access to her enclosed garden.
None of these things is an emergency. There isn’t a dramatic vet photograph or an urgent appeal attached to them. They’re simply what caring for Ivy looks like every day, which is an important part of rescue that people don’t very often see.
Donations don’t only pay for emergencies and big veterinary bills. They also help to buy the puppy pads, cleaning supplies, medication, food and dozens of other very ordinary things that quietly keep cats like Ivy comfortable and enjoying a good quality of life.
And, behind all of this, is Ivy’s wonderful foster mum. She changes the pads, does the washing, cleans up the accidents, gives the medication, monitors Ivy’s health and makes sure she has everything she needs.Then she gets up the next day and does it all again. Several times a week Ivy’s foster “auntie” arrives to help to make sure Ivy’s back end is washed and kept clean. Due to Ivy being so wriggly, it’s definitely a two person job!
Because of that care, Ivy doesn’t have to spend her life being defined by incontinence or her wobbly back legs, she just gets to be Ivy. ❤️ That’s what all those very ordinary looking supplies, and your donations, help make possible.
