I Spend RM1,400 A Week Caring For 27 Disabled Cats Because They Have No One Else | WeirdKaya

For most people, caring for one sick pet can already feel overwhelming.

But for 46-year-old Nur Hanariawati Mohd Najib, better known as Wati or Ibu Katsumi, her daily routine revolves around caring for 27 disabled cats who require diapers, special diets and help in relieving themselves.

Based in Bandar Rimbayu, Shah Alam, Wati provides a safe space for cats that have been paralysed after accidents, falls, dog attacks and other traumatic incidents.

Some have been permanently paralysed from the waist down, but Wati believes their disabilities should not stop them from receiving love or a second chance at life.

Her journey began with one injured cat

Before becoming actively involved in rescuing disabled cats, Wati ran several cat related businesses, including a cat hotel, grooming spa and cat sitting service.

Her rescue journey began in 2021 after a fellow rescuer posted about a cat that had been hit by a vehicle in Kelana Jaya.

When Wati noticed that no one had stepped forward to help, she decided to take the cat in and named it Suriram.

As Wati had no previous experience caring for a disabled cat, she frequently visited qualified veterinarians to learn how to properly manage Suriram’s condition.

“At the beginning, it was quite difficult because we were not skilled in caring for disabled cats. We kept going to the vet to learn,” she told WeirdKaya.

Suriram initially lived in Wati’s bedroom. As she became more experienced, she began accepting more disabled cats and eventually cared for around seven of them at home.

Five years ago, she began sharing their stories online under Cerita Kucing Katsumi, with Wati explaining that the name Katsumi was inspired by a Japanese word that, to her, represented something beautiful, clean and pleasant.

Unlike some disabled cats that are constantly kept inside cages, Wati dresses hers in recovery suits and diapers so they can move around freely despite having to drag their lower bodies.

Diapers changed four times a day

Wati currently cares for 27 disabled cats at a specially rented space in Bandar Rimbayu, with most of them suffering spinal fractures that left them unable to move the lower parts of their bodies.

She said all the cats were examined by qualified veterinarians before coming under her care, with some undergoing X-rays and MRI scans before being diagnosed as permanently paralysed.

As they are unable to urinate or defecate normally, Wati has to manually help them relieve themselves.

Her day usually begins at around 9am, when she starts changing their diapers.The disposable diapers need to be changed four times a day, and the cats are also dressed in pet recovery suits.

Their diets also need to be carefully managed. Wati said the disabled cats are given specialised veterinary food containing an S/O Index, which helps support their urinary and bladder health and reduce the risk of certain crystals and stones forming.

She spends at least RM1,400 every week on dry and wet food, diapers ranging from newborn to extra large sizes, multivitamins, wet wipes and disposable pads, and this doesn’t include veterinary treatment.

RM11,700 vet bill for four cats

Wati said finances remain the biggest challenge in keeping the rescue space running.For example, if one cat needs to be admitted to a veterinary clinic, its bill may reach between RM3,000 and RM5,000.

In July 2026, four cats were admitted at the same time, leaving Wati with a total bill of RM11,700.

Although she sometimes requests public assistance for veterinary treatment, not every fundraising appeal receives enough support.

“We do ask for help, but not everyone or every follower is able to contribute. We have to use our own money first for the remaining amount,” she said.

Wati previously sold some of her belongings to cover the cats’ expenses. However, she never viewed the cats as a burden.

Instead, she feels fulfilled when an injured cat receives treatment, recovers and is able to play again, even though its body may never return to normal.

“We feel that we have given them a second chance to live comfortably despite their disabilities,” she said.

Among all the cats she has cared for, one named Kaycee remains especially close to Wati’s heart.

Kaycee was rescued by an Indian couple in Dengkil after being attacked by a dog and suffered a broken spine.

Wati then brought Kaycee to an orthopaedic specialist, who recommended spinal surgery to reconnect the damaged section of her spine.

However, complications occurred after the operation, and Kaycee briefly lost vital oxygen supply to her brain. After regaining consciousness, Kaycee could only move her head and was later diagnosed as permanently bedridden.

Despite her condition, Wati continued caring for Kaycee for four years until she passed away in 2025.

‘They only have us’

Caring for the cats has also affected Wati’s personal life as she rarely returns to her hometown, even during Hari Raya, to provide constant care for the cats.

When a family emergency arises, she will return home briefly while her daughter takes over the cats’ daily routine.

Wati admitted that looking after disabled cats requires strong emotional resilience, especially when financial pressures continue to build.

However, she is reminded that many of the cats have nowhere else to go.

Although they move by dragging their lower bodies, Wati said they remain active and often chase and play with other cats facing similar conditions.

“We are proud to see them playing and running after one another despite their limitations,” she said.

Pets are not disposable

Wati hopes more Malaysians will step forward to help injured and disabled animals.

She believes anyone can contribute, even if they are unable to care for as many cats as she does.

She also urged pet owners to understand that animals are not objects that can simply be discarded once they become sick, injured or less attractive.

“They are living beings. There will be times when they are healthy and times when they are sick,” she said.

According to Wati, some people consider veterinary treatment a waste of money because they believe it is “only a cat”.

However, she stressed that caring for an animal should not be treated as a temporary hobby.

Those wishing to follow Wati’s journey can find Cerita Kucing Katsumi on TikTok at @ceritakucingkatsumiand Instagram [email protected].

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