It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing the passing of our oldest Siberian lynx, Katia.

Katia was a beautiful, vibrant, and high spirited cat that came into our lives in 2003. Her favorite things to do were snuggling with her son Alfie under a shade tree and kneading her paws into a soft bed of hay.

It was soon after Katia’s arrival to the sanctuary that we began to see some of Katia’s medical challenges. She was declawed prior to coming to the sanctuary which later made it very difficult to walk around. She developed osteoarthritis and while we did everything we could to alleviate her pain it was very uncomfortable for her to walk. Soon after, she was diagnosed with renal failure which came on quick over the last month. But regardless of her physical challenges, Katia was a loving girl who continued to show her affection with purrs right up till her last days.

Some goodbyes are particularly difficult and Katia’s is one of them. Few rival the ache of losing a loved one. But Katia is now in a better place. I see her running free, sitting in the sunlight and enjoying a meal. Although my heart is sad, I am filled with the joy of knowing that someday Katia will be reunited with her son Alfonz in a place free of bars and boundaries.

Click here to see more pictures of our beautiful Katia