A wildcat called George who loved park life in Paisley was mown down by a hit-and-run driver.
George was actually just days from a happy new life when he met his cruel end.
Cat lover Danielle McGuire had picked him up from the middle of Foxbar Road and rushed him to Abbey Vets.
But his injuries were so severe he had to be put down.
Now nursery worker Danielle,49, is raising money for homeless cats in Renfrewshire in George’s honour.
The tomcat, with his distinctive white coat with black markings, was a well known figure stomping around Durrockstock Park.
He was within days of being brought back into captivity, given treatment and becoming a “community cat” looked after by neighbours.
Devastated Danielle said: “I rushed over to help and he was clearly in a bad way.
“The poor wee boy never got the chance of his happy ending.”
Danielle, who lives in the town, was driving to work in a Paisley nursery on February 17 when she came across George.
She said: “I did the decent thing and picked him up, gave him a little kiss and cuddle and sat him in the car and rushed him down to Abbey Vets.
“I was telling him to hang on in there throughout the journey, but sadly his injuries were so severe that he had to put to sleep.
“George was left alone basically to die in the middle of the road, no animal deserves to be treated so badly.
“I appreciate accidents sometimes happen but people need to do right thing and stop and give the animal a fighting chance.
“Whoever hit him clearly must have known and made the decision to drive on. It is utterly disgusting and heartless.”
Danielle volunteers for Lost Pets Renfrewshire and Johnstone Cat Rescue and will do the Kiltwalk in Glasgow in April to raise money.
Nearly £600 has already come in as people heard of George’s passing.
Danielle said: “Lynn Anderson from Lost Pets was previously contacted by a member of the public saying that George was straying in the Durrockstock area last year, but then he disappeared for a while.
“He came back a few months later and was in a worse state than he had been before. George had been seen coming out of Durrockstock Park daily and a few people had been feeding him.”
Lynn arranged for a trap to be set and this was to be staged on February 21.
“George was due in at Abbey Vets to be neutered, chipped, flead, wormed and his wounds treated.
“He would then have been taken back to Durrockstock and would have become a community cat after a number of neighbours said they would feed and look after him.”
The local cat rescue group have saved hundreds of strays but are struggling to keep afloat with increased costs.
Danielle added: “Thankfully lots of pets are reunited and there are happy endings.
“But sadly there are thousands of cats like George out there, unneutered and left to wander the streets begging for food and shelter.
“These cats lead a miserable life fighting for territory, and often have infected wounds that go untreated.
“Johnstone Cat Rescue have huge vet bills and accommodation costs and that why I am doing the Kiltwalk.”
Every penny raised will be upped by 50 per cent thanks to The Hunter Foundation.
Help out via https://glasgow.thekiltwalk.co.uk/fundraising/GlasgowKiltwalk2022-DanielleMcGuire
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