Katarina Penava is a young woman living in Minatti's hometown - Slovenske Konjice. Since childhood, she has known that her calling is to help those who cannot ask for help themselves. She has always felt the pain of homeless and abandoned kittens living on the streets - unseen, unheard, abandoned to a cruel fate. Her heart knew no indifference. Every time she found a frightened, abandoned cat, she took it in, hugged it and promised it would be safe.
But then she came. A small, skinny shadow, shivering from the cold in front of her block. Her eyes were cloudy, full of pain and helpless acceptance of the cruelty of the world. Catherine knelt down, took her gently in her arms and felt her heart beating weakly. "Don't worry, you're safe now," she whispered. She called her Sia.
The warmth of home, a soft blanket, gentle touches - everything Sia had missed so far, Katarina gave her without a second thought. She watched her transform from a frightened shadow into a lively, playful creature. But the happiness didn't last long. One day, Sia became different. She was no longer running to the bowl, no longer playing with the other kittens, her body was getting weaker and weaker. Catherine felt that awful feeling in her chest - something was wrong.
The vet's diagnosis hit her like a blow. The treatment was expensive, the chances poor. Katarina stared at the small lump clutched in her arms and knew one thing: she would not give up. She would not let Sia become another invisible story, another lost soul.
She was desperate, but determination burned within her. She turned to everyone she knew. She wrote, she called, she pleaded. And then something magical happened - people came together. Local artisans in Konjic donated items for auction, strangers contributed money, and warm words of support gave her the strength to keep going. Soon enough funds were raised to enable Sia to receive treatment.
Days of uncertainty, sleepless nights, prayers and hope have paid off. Sia overcame her illness. Her eyes shone again, her paws flowed again, her gentle spinning told Katarina every night a story of triumph - of love that conquers all.
But it didn't end there. Catherine knew that Sia was just one of many. From her struggle, something bigger was born - the Sia Kitten Aid Society, which today gives a voice to those who have none, saves invisible, guiltless animal souls, and restores hope where it has been lost.
Contributed by Zala Krupljan, 3. 2. 2025
English (UK) 
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