A four-year-old rescue cat from Warrington, who spent more than two years living feral at an M6 service station before finally finding his first ever home, is now facing a heartbreaking fight for his life.
For more than two years, Larry lived as part of a feral colony at an M6 service station before being taken into the care of Safecats Rescue in Warrington.
Then, in June 2025, Larry and his dad Frankie were finally given something they had never had before – a home of their own.
But after surviving life on the streets and more than two years in rescue, Larry now desperately needs help again.
His owner, Louise Ambler, has discovered that the four-year-old has a serious and potentially fatal heart condition known as third-degree AV block.
Without a pacemaker, Larry could suffer a fatal cardiac event at any time.
And the cost of giving him that chance of life is £4,800, with ongoing costs expected to be around £2,000 a year.
Larry’s journey to becoming a much-loved family pet has been far from easy.
When he arrived at his new home, he had never lived inside a house and was suffering from severe anxiety.
Simple things that other cats take for granted – stairs, the television and even the sound of a doorbell – could frighten him.
His anxiety became so severe that he would excessively over-groom himself and, during his first few months at home, had to wear a little cotton suit.
But slowly, patiently and with plenty of love, Larry began to change.
He settled into his new surroundings and started to discover what it meant to have a family.
Louise even had a catio built so that Larry and Frankie could enjoy the outdoors while remaining safe.
Larry had finally found the secure and loving home he had waited so long for. And then came the devastating diagnosis.
Larry has begun regularly collapsing and is increasingly tired. The playful cat who once enjoyed his new-found freedom has lost his trademark energy.
Louise says: “The zoomies have now stopped and Larry is tired and has begun to regularly collapse.”
The fear is that one of those collapses could be the one from which Larry does not recover.
His insurance has already reached its £2,000 condition limit, following the diagnostic investigations he has needed, including specialist cardiology assessment and a 24-hour ECG Holter monitor.
That leaves Louise facing the huge cost of the pacemaker operation herself.
The operation would give Larry the chance to continue living the life he has only recently discovered.
Louise says in her fundraising appeal that Larry has an amazing personality and follows her around “like a little shadow.”
For someone who has already spent so much of his life frightened and without a proper home, the thought of losing him at just four years old is devastating.
Louise says: “Larry has been through too much to die young.” And that is why she is now appealing to animal lovers across Warrington and beyond for help.
The fundraising target is currently £1,500, and more than £1,077 has already been raised, putting the appeal well on its way thanks to the generosity of people who have heard Larry’s story.
But the eventual cost of the pacemaker is expected to be £4,800, plus substantial ongoing treatment and care costs.
Louise is asking people to donate whatever they can afford. Even a small contribution could help bring Larry closer to the operation that could save his life.
And for those unable to donate, simply sharing his story could help reach someone who can.
After everything Larry has already survived, his family desperately wants to give him the chance to enjoy many more years in the home he has finally learned to love.
He has survived the streets. He has survived more than two years in rescue. He has overcome his fear of having a home.
Now, at just four years old, Larry is facing his biggest battle yet.
You can support Louise’s fundraising appeal through the GoFundMe page HERE:
Please donate if you can – and if you can’t, please share Larry’s story.
Every share could help reach the person who can make the difference between Larry facing a sudden death and being given a second chance at life.
