Koa's story: A little warrior finds her home
Koa is a 5 year old ragdoll cat who came to us as a stray last year, she was skinny, malnourished and covered in fleas.
At the time, Lisa had been volunteering with Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home for two years. She started working with the pet food bank, organising donations and dropping deliveries across Edinburgh. She’s since added another support role working with our front desk team.
Lisa had lost her beloved ragdoll, Topaz, in June 2024, just five days after his 10th birthday.
‘I was in my 40s when I got Topaz. I didn’t have any pets growing up, so I did my own research and learned everything about looking after him.’
Topaz had a heart condition and needed a lot of care. Lisa says, ‘I did a lot for Topaz, losing him was hard, and that’s why I thought I could never do this again.’
Lisa remembers the first time she saw Koa.
‘It was a beautiful day, the second week in November. I’d taken something into one of the store rooms and as I was walking back, here was this cat sitting sunning herself on the outside run of the cattery, and I thought ‘oh, who’re you?’’
Lisa noticed Koa right awa,y but she still felt it was too soon to bring home a new family member.
Then a Christmas party changed everything…
It was going to be a while before Koa would be ready to be rehomed, as she was still being treated for various health issues. At a Christmas party for our volunteers, Lisa got the chance to meet Koa properly.
‘I thought the first time I met her I would burst into tears, but no, it was good! I lifted her up and gave her a cuddle, and she was purring. I knew I still had time to think about it.
After that, I would ask to visit her after my volunteer shifts. I got quite a few visits with her, playing in the cattery.’
When Koa was finally ready to go home, Lisa was delighted to welcome her.
Koa settled straight into Lisa’s home. By the first night, she was cosying in for cuddles on the sofa, and by the next morning, she’d claimed her spot on the bed where she’s slept ever since. Koa is playful and cheeky, and she loves to try to hunt the pigeons outside the window.
Lisa says, ‘I live on my own, so it’s nice having somebody else in the house. She’s brought that little bit of happiness after such a sad thing.’
Lisa honours both of her cats in a special way.
‘I called Topaz because of his beautiful blue eyes.
And Koa is named for a tree that’s indigenous to Hawaii and comes in many shades of brown. Koa is also the Hawaiian word for warrior. Knowing how she had to fend for herself as a stray, I thought it was perfect.
I wear these two rings, one’s got Koa wood in it, and one has a Topaz.’