When Marilyn the cat sees someone walk into the room, she reacts like a mouth to a flame.
The five or six-year-old domestic short haired black and white cat loves playing with people and posing for the camera, according to Annie Prittie Bell, Victoria B.C. SPCA branch manager.
Every time Prittie Bell would go in to take pictures of the friendly feline, Marilyn would roll on her back, toss her head backwards and put her legs up in the air.
“She's super nice. She's really easy going even though she's been hurt,” Prittie Bell said. “She's super gentle, super handleable, purrs a lot. Even if there's people in the room, she gets all happy.”
The loveable cat is now recovering, after having extensive surgery.
Marilyn was originally brought to the Central Victoria Vet Clinic by a Good Samaritan as a stray from the Sooke area. She had been suffering from a broken hip and abdominal hernia, as a result of being hit by a car.
Shortly after, the friendly feline was transferred to the Victoria SPCA.
“The abdominal muscles had all pulled away, all of her intestines were still inside her skin, but outside of her abdominal wall. She was very sick,” said Prittie Bell of the feline's injuries.
The day after she was brought in, Marilyn's condition deteriorated rapidly and staff made the decision to go ahead with surgery to repair both the hernias.
The surgery was a success and now, the little feline is recovering, with rehab expected to last for the next few months because the damage was so significant. Staff are monitoring Marilyn's urine and bowel movements for the time being.
The Victoria SPCA is reaching out in hopes the public will be able to help with some of the cost of Marilyn's surgeries, rehabilitation and recovery, which are expected to cost $3,500.
Even though Marilyn is still under kennel rest to ensure she doesn't re-damage anything, she's still incredibly friendly to people.
“We just want this beautiful girl to have the chance to live out the rest of her nine lives as an active, happy cat in a loving, forever home,” Prittie Bell said.
For more information on how to donate, visit spca.bc.ca/medicalemergency or in person at 3150 Napier Ln.