29/10/2026
GARNET GRADUATION .. THE LITTLE BOY WHO REFUSED TO GIVE UP!
84 Days of FIP Treatment ~ A Journey of Hope, Love and Unbreakable Determination.
Some little souls leave paw prints on our floors. But our dearest little Garnet has left paw prints on our hearts forever.
On 29 September 2026, our extraordinary Garnet boy celebrated his first birthday. And oh, what a journey this little boy has travelled to get here.
His story began on 29 September 2025, when he and his siblings, together with their mom, Katryn, were handed in at our vets in Malmesbury as strays from a business. Katryn gave birth to 2 beautiful kittens on the morning of the 29th.
From the very beginning, life wasn't easy. Katryn struggled with motherhood and we had to help her every step of the way. When her milk became unsuitable, the kittens became ill. Garnet was hit the hardest. He lost so much weight that he became dangerously thin and we honestly feared we would lose him.
But our incredible foster mom, Annemarie, refused to give up. Through round-the-clock care, endless love and sheer determination, she pulled Garnet and his little brother Jasper through. Slowly, our boy found his way back to health and we could breathe again. Then as he started feeling better we had to rush him to the vet again where he was diagnosed with a serious infection and he got medication. As the days went by our boy started feeling better again. We thought the hardest part was behind us, little did we know that we were wrong.
On 30 June 2026, Garnet was admitted to the vet with a temperature of 40.1°C, no appetite and a swollen, fluid-filled abdomen. Our hearts sank as we began to fear the words no rescuer wants to hear: FIP — Feline Infectious Peritonitis.
Tests strengthened that suspicion and suddenly we were facing another fight for his life. The reality was heartbreaking. We knew that without antiviral treatment, his chances were desperately limited. And we knew we simply didn't have the funds to cover it.
Then came a moment of extraordinary kindness. Dr Suzèl Hattingh (a board member and an extraordinary member of our team), who knows all too well the heartbreak of losing a beloved cat to this devastating disease, stepped forward and sponsored Garnet's full treatment.
On 3 July 2026, Garnet received his first dose of GS-441524, beginning an 84-day treatment journey. Day by day, we hoped and we watched him like a hawk. Each day was one little step forward, never taking tomorrow for granted.
And on 25 September 2026, our brave boy completed his 84-day treatment! 🎉❤️
Today, Garnet is doing absolutely amazingly.b This loving, joyful little boy is a beautiful reminder of just how much strength can live inside such a small body.
To look at him, you might never imagine what he has endured. You would never know how close we came to losing him, how many worried hours his carers spent beside him or how much hope we placed in every new day.
And this journey will be engraved in our hearts and memories forever.
To Annemarie, THANK YOU for the sleepless nights, the 24/7 care and the love that helped give Garnet his first chance at life.
To Dr Maryke Bartmann, Dr Anja Uys and Dr Duandri Botha of Bergzicht Malmesbury, THANK YOU for walking beside Garnet and us, from those frightening early days through to day 84.
And to Dr Suzèl Hattingh, THANK YOU for making his treatment possible. Your generosity gave our boy a chance at the future he deserved. Without you he would not have gotten this chance! We will never ever forget that.
We share Garnet's story for another reason, too. FIP has taken far too many precious lives and although antiviral treatment has transformed the outlook for many cats, its cost remains beyond the reach of many families and rescuers. We hope that one day this life-saving treatment will become more affordable and accessible to everyone who needs it.
Garnet, our beautiful boytjie, you have taught us that courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes it is a tiny kitten fighting to take another breath. Sometimes it is a carer refusing to give up and sometimes it is the courage to believe when the outcome is uncertain.
You taught us to take one day at a time, to trust, to hope and to keep loving even when our hearts are afraid.
Happy first birthday, our precious Garnet. May the hardest days be behind you and the most beautiful days lie ahead.
You are our little beacon of hope, love and trust. And we are so very grateful that your story continues. We will not take one day that you are with us for granted!
