In Fuzhou, China, an elderly man brought his British Shorthair cat to Ruipaino Veterinary Hospital for treatment. Upon examination, the veterinarian diagnosed the cat with a serious heart condition requiring lifelong medication. However, the elderly owner, finding the treatment troublesome, requested euthanasia and made a series of controversial remarks. The veterinarian's response and subsequent actions have since been widely praised online.
According to a report by Oriental Daily, on December 19 of last year, the elderly man arrived with his British Shorthair cat. The veterinarian discovered the cat was suffering from heart disease and had already begun vomiting blood, indicating a critical condition. Immediate intubation was necessary to save the cat's life, and lifelong medication was required thereafter.
The elderly owner, however, dismissed the severity of the situation, stating that the cat was merely a gift for his 5-year-old grandson, intended to be played with for a few days before being given away. He claimed, "It's not a very valuable animal." The grandson was frightened by the cat's condition and supported euthanasia.
The veterinary hospital urged the owner to give the cat another chance, but he refused despite prolonged discussions. The veterinarian then proposed that the owner surrender the cat to the hospital, where staff were willing to adopt it. The hospital would cover medical expenses, but the owner was required to pay a 2292 RMB fee. If the cat did not survive, the fee would be used for burial costs.
Although the owner agreed to surrender the cat, he was reluctant to pay the fee, prompting the veterinarian to express frustration: "We are helping the cat, not trying to make money from you. We could have simply refused to do this." Eventually, the owner agreed to pay, and the hospital began treatment.
The cat showed remarkable vitality and survived surgery successfully. The veterinarian happily remarked, "The cat fought hard to survive. Although we didn't make money, we are happy to have saved it."
Now well-adapted to the hospital environment, the cat has become a mascot of the clinic. It seems to recognize its rescuers and even shows affection by exposing its belly. The hospital emphasized, "Everyone has different views on life, but in our hospital, the life of animals always comes first."
