Once shy rescue cat’s love has lifesaving impact

“I wouldn’t be here without her,” says Lee McKenzie of the beloved rescue cat who saved his life.

Grey tabby Inari arrived in Blue Cross care in 2015 just as cat-lover Lee started his search for a pet, on the advice of his psychologist after years of reccurring mental illness.

In the seven years leading up to that point, Lee experienced more grief and health issues than most people shoulder in a lifetime – with more still on the horizon.

In December 2008, six months after he survived meningitis, three of Lee’s closest uncles died of cancer. A month later, his missing best friend was also found dead.

This devastating sequence of events understandably sent Lee, who up until then had never missed a day’s work, into a downward spiral of depression and anxiety, with numerous suicide attempts.

“I didn’t want to be alive anymore – I wanted to take my own life,” says Lee. “My therapist said that the happiest times of my life seemed to be when I had a cat around.” 

Lee, who had cats throughout his childhood, continues: “I said: ‘I can’t look after myself, let alone be responsible for a cat’, but she felt it would pick me up and give me a purpose.”

And adopting Inari, who is now 19, did just that and so much more. Her listening ear, quiet reassurance and soothing company provided a breakthrough for Lee.

His partner of 13 years, Rachel, says: “It was that change of focus. He was in despair; he wasn’t going out, he wasn’t doing anything and he didn’t have any drive. 

“And when Inari came along, he had an interest again. It was very small, but he was talking to me a little bit more as he was teaching me how to look after a cat, as I’d never had one. 

“You could see, when Inari did go up to him, his face just lit up. You could see this love between them. It’s almost like she understood that Lee had his own struggles.”

Inari’s arrival also led Lee to accept more help from others, including his mental health team and the GP, which set him on a “life-changing” path to recovery. 

In return, Lee and Rachel gave Inari the stable and loving home she needed. 

Shy and in her senior years, she had repeatedly been overlooked by potential adopters. But when Lee first met her, their connection was instant. 

“It took all of five seconds for Inari to take to me and me to her,” Lee recalls. It was a happy surprise to those caring for nervous Inari, who regularly refused food and struggled to form bonds with anyone.

Three days later, Inari was in her new home. Although initially shy and needing the lights on for comfort at night, she always felt safe in Lee’s company, and he in hers. 

Indoor cat Inari became Lee and Rachel’s “world” and would even join them on holiday home getaways.

Lee continues: “Looking after her and seeing her come out of her shell made me never want to end my life again, as she was now depending on us to keep our promise of a loving, warm and safe home.”

Inari has helped Lee and Rachel through many tough times since they welcomed her into their lives.

A few years ago, Lee was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune condition called pyoderma gangrenosum, which attacks the muscles, skin and tissue in both of his legs. 

In 2022, the medication needed to control the condition left him with severe kidney failure, detected in a routine blood test. He then spent three months recovering in hospital and was faced with the prospect of having both legs amputated before treatment started to work.

Rachel’s visits and, with them, regular photo and video updates of their beloved pet, kept Lee’s spirits up.

“The thing that kept me going was getting back home to Inari,” he says.

Since then, Lee has been left bedbound by the condition affecting his legs and is gradually learning how to walk again. Seeing Inari every day helps him with every step. 

And she was the inspiration for Lee taking on the Blue Cross 1897 Challenge last year, in which he raised more than £450 by gaming or streaming tasks such as Lego building for 1,897 minutes in one month. 

“Blue Cross has helped us so much so it’s nice to give something back,” says Lee, who was overwhelmed by the support he received from friends and family.

Meanwhile, Rachel – a previously self-professed dog person who credits Inari with making her “fall in love with cats” – has completed a charity run in aid of Blue Cross.

Inari has given Lee and Rachel their future together back. And Lee’s goal is to once again enjoy holidays with both Inari and Rachel by his side.