‘RUN FREE, CIEN!’ A disabled stray kitten on wheels captured the hearts of netizens after being rescued by the Animal Kingdom Foundation in Mendiola, Manila, on November 8, 2023. Image: Courtesy of Animal Kingdom Foundation/Facebook
Cien, the disabled stray kitten that went viral online after being rescued and cared for by compassionate individuals at Centro Escolar University (CEU) in Mendiola, Manila, has passed away.
On Sunday, Nov. 19, the Animal Kingdom Foundation (AKF) shared the heartbreaking news on their Facebook page, revealing that Cien’s demise came only a few days after it was discovered that the kitten had suffered a spine injury.
According to AKF, Cien was rescued on Nov. 8 with the assistance of concerned students from CEU. At the time of the rescue, the kitten had an improvised wheelchair crafted by the school’s maintenance personnel, identified as “Kuya Glenn.”
The makeshift device, consisting of a disposable food container and four bottle caps as wheels, enabled Cien to move around and walk.
“She relied on the kindness of the students and the school staff to survive. She would not have lived this long if no one [had given] her food. The improvised wheelers also helped her a lot in moving around,” AKF wrote in one of its posts.
AKF transported Cien to the Vets on the Block pet clinic in Quezon City, where the kitten underwent tests and assessments, followed by further checkups with an ortho specialist in Marikina City.
However, the test results later revealed that the kitten’s spinal injury had led to paralysis in her lower body, affecting her ability to voluntarily urinate and defecate. Veterinarians also discovered that Cien had developed a megacolon, causing abnormal dilation of her lower intestines and hindering the normal passage of feces.
In a separate post, AKF expressed gratitude to CEU’s staff and students, as well as individuals who provided care and sustenance to Cien during her lifetime.
“Thank you to everyone who prayed for Cien, those who sent help, those who looked after her when she was not yet rescued,” AKF wrote.
“Cien was loved. We know she was happy. Thank you for your compassion,” they added.