A BIG-HEARTED cat-lover rescued a loveable kitten from a grim fate by bringing it all the way home from Cyprus.
Sharon Scott was gardening at her rental holiday home on the Mediterranean island when the kitten leaped into her arms – and it was love at first sight.
But she knew that leaving it behind would be a death sentence for her new furry friend, whom she christened Columbo.
So, with the help of a Cyprus cattery, she was able to have Columbo shipped back to her Lilbourne home and become part of the family.
Sharon said: “She literally threw herself at me. I was so besotted with her.”
She named Columbo after her favourite TV detective show, which she and the cat watched together in Cyprus, and the pair became inseparable.
She later found out the cat was female, but by then the name had stuck.
“She seemed so tiny and weak that we began to care for her like a newborn and feed her kitten food,” she said.
“As time went by I realised she wasn’t going anywhere. Every time I opened the door she was there.
“She’s got different coloured eyes – she was just so mesmerising.
“She’s an exceptionally affectionate cat – the sort of cat you can pick up and snuggle.”
But because of a massive cat overpopulation problem in Cyprus – where there are more cats than people – Sharon knew Columbo would have little chance of survival if she left her behind.
“I knew that eventually Columbo would probably die because she would pick up poisoned food or would be rounded up and shot,” she said. “I just couldn’t bear to leave her.
“And by then I was in love with her! I just had to find a way, and I really didn’t care how much it was going to cost.”
After putting out an appeal on social media, Famagusta Cat Care Project owner Lynn Candy offered to look after Columbo when Sharon went home, and took care of the necessary paperwork and vaccinations.
Meanwhile, Sharon raised the £500 needed to get Columbo on the plane home – half of it through an online appeal.
She said: “People donated from all over the world. People donated in memory of a pet, or because they love cats but can’t take them in.
“I thank them from the bottom of my heart. For complete strangers to donate money is just amazing.”
But she said the hardest part was persuading husband Craig to agree to the impromptu adoption.
“We already have a dog and three cats, and in April our other dog took ill and died. I had to talk Craig around!”
And now Columbo is settling in with Sharon and Craig, daughter Rose and her three cats, and dog Dylan.
“I cried when I picked her up from the airport,” Sharon said. “I could tell that she recognised me. She was staring at me and kept pawing my face and touching me.
“I couldn’t wait to get her home. I was so excited.
“She’s getting on really well with Dylan, and we’re slowly introducing her to Rosie’s cats. She’s settled in really well.”
