9:10am Saturday 20th March 2010
By Lucy Pearce
ALFIE the cat who was attacked by thugs has attracted an international following.
Around £1,000 has been raised for his treatment after a support group was set up on the social networking site Facebook.
It has attracted more than 600 members with wellwishers from the United States and Australia, New Zealand and Holland all pledging help.
Clare Mather, from Weymouth, and Maria Appleby, from America, set up the group ‘Mission: Help Alfie!’ which gained 600 members from all over the world in less than 48 hours.
Alfie, the 14-month-old cat, is fighting for his life after losing an eye and suffering multiple fractures after being savagely attacked by thugs.
His owner Rachel Cummings of Lynch Road in Weymouth, discovered her pet covered in blood with his eye ‘literally hanging out’ last weekend.
Alfie was rushed to Fielding and Cumber veterinary surgeons on Chickerell Road where he has remained for nearly a week undergoing intensive surgery.
Police are investigating the attack and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.
Mum-of-six Mrs Cummings, 32, said she did not have any pet insurance and told the Echo she was concerned that she wouldn’t be able to fork out for expensive veterinary bills.
However Fielding and Cumber vets have since been inundated with telephone calls and visitors wanting to donate cash towards the fees after being touched by his story.
According to the vets approximately £600 has been raised.
Members of the Facebook group have also been posting cheques direct to the vets or paying sums of cash into the PayPal account of co-creator Mrs Mather who will then forward the money on to the vets.
Mrs Mather, of Fisherbridge Road, said she created the group through her cat Chunk’s Facebook page, along with Mrs Appleby from Illinois, to show support for Alfie and his family.
She said: “We didn’t ever think it would receive so much response.
“We started the group simply seeking love and support but then people started talking about donations.
“So far £367.35 has been raised through the group.
“We just wanted to prove that there is an awful lot of love and support in world.”
With the two figures combined almost £1,000 potentially could have been raised.
Mrs Cummings, 32, said she couldn’t believe the support she had received. She said: “It’s absolutely amazing and I just keep crying because I’m so overwhelmed. “Although I really appreciate the donations, what matters more to me is to find who ever is responsible for this and to know exactly what happened.”
Alfie underwent further surgery on Thursday night and he will remain at the vets until he is well enough to return home.
Practice manager, Malcolm Cumber, said: “Alfie has had a fixation on the jaw and that is being monitored.”
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