A CAT rescue centre in Salisbury has thanked an anonymous good Samaritan for sending a bouquet of flowers to pay tribute the team that lovingly supported a cat in his final days.

The team at Cat Watch Rescue Shelter drove 60 miles to take in a cat, called Rico at the time before being named River, after responding to a plea on social media calling for help on September 24.

River had a history of chronic diarrhoea and was suffering with a bacterial infection, causing him to be extremely dehydrated and emaciated.

He was taken to the vets, but his situation was so dire that there was little that could be done.

Marnie Buckland from Cat Watch said: “He received every test, every treatment, every IV that could be offered.

“We tried everything humanely possible to understand what he needed, to see if we could save him. He spent two nights in the vet hospital, wrapped in care and hope.

“But River’s story is heart-breaking. He’d been to a vet on the September 2, where he was given antibiotics and steroids.

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“The owner was told to bring him back in a week, but she didn’t. For the last six months, he hadn’t been cared for.

River recovering at the rescue centre Picture: Cat Watch Rescue Centre

“On the third day of taking him in, we realised there was nothing more that could be done. I asked if he would suffer if I took him home for one final night. They made him comfortable.

“That night, he slept beside me. We cuddled. I whispered to him, over and over, that he was loved. That he mattered. That he wasn’t alone.

“The next morning, we returned to the vets. It was quiet. Poignant. Devastating. But peaceful. Calm. Dignified.”

She said River deserved “so much more than the world had given him”.

River’s story touched the hearts of many on social media.

Responding to his sad story, one kind supporter sent a bouquet of flower to the team to thank them for their hard and often overlooked work.

A message with the card read: “May your heart be healed by the gentle padding of tiny toe beans. May your smile be returned watching contended twitching whiskers.

“So many are so, so grateful for all you are and all you do. Sending you much love and light to help you through.”

Marnie said: “Today, a beautiful bouquet arrived with the warmest, most comforting note—and it truly made my day.

“To the lovely soul who sent it: thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Your words wrapped around my grief like a hug, and reminded me that River’s memory is held not just by me, but by others who feel this loss too.“

Salisbury Flower Shed, who delivered the flowers, took to social media to explain that the donor didn’t know Marnie personally but that she follows her rescue work closely.

The woman who sent the flowers reportedly told Salisbury Flower Shed: “It was just a gesture of kindness that she needs right now.”

To support the vital work of the rescue centre, consider leaving a donation or purchasing items they may need.

Visit https://linktr.ee/catwatchrescueshelter to access this.