That cat was Toyen, and his story is as remarkable as his gaze.

Raziellia’s love for cats started in primary school. “The first cat I owned was given to me by a neighbour,” she told FMT Lifestyle.

It wasn’t until she started working at 24, with her own income, that she could care for cats properly – vaccinating, deworming, neutering, and rescuing strays who otherwise had no one.

In 2023, Toyen made his entrance at a friend’s engagement party, very close to Raziellia’s home. The little feline was causing a stir among the guests, his body covered in wounds and dirt. “I suspected he had sporotrichosis,” Raziellia explained.

While everyone else was shooing Toyen away, Raziellia felt sorry for the cat and took him in.

“I hesitated at first because I had no experience treating this disease, but I knew it could infect humans. And because he was roaming around, I decided to help him to prevent the infection from spreading to other strays in the area,” she said.

Despite his rough exterior, Toyen had a surprising charm. “When I first found him, he was quite affectionate, and enjoyed approaching humans,” she recalled.

But the wounds and grime meant few people were willing to pet him or offer food. Raziellia, already responsible for dozens of cats, planned to nurse him back to health, then rehome him.

Toyen’s treatment was no small task. For starters, he was quarantined in a separate cage. A vet soon confirmed he did have sporotrichosis and prescribed an anti-fungal medication to treat it.

“The vet said it could take months, maybe even a year, for him to fully recover.”

Raziellia was cautious, cleverly hiding his medicine in wet food to avoid handling him too closely.

Six months later, Toyen was free from the infection and Raziellia released him back into the neighbourhood in the area where she had found him. “On the night I released him, I felt very sad, even though the location was only two minutes from my home.”

Then came an unexpected twist. “The next morning, Toyen was waiting at my front door – he had found his way back home!” she shared.

Now a permanent member of the household, five-year-old Toyen’s unpredictable moods – affectionate one moment, grumpy the next – keep everyone on their toes. He’s particularly close to Raziellia’s youngest sibling, who he sleeps with every night.

“If my sibling is away at university, Toyen sleeps with me instead,” Raziellia shared.

Due to his history with sporotrichosis, Toyen isn’t housed with the other cats, though he gets along with most of them.

“There are just two cats that Toyen treats as enemies for some reason. They always fight if they cross paths,” she said.

Toyen has his quirks, too. “He likes to stare at us for a long time,” Raziellia said. “I find it fascinating because it seems like he is showing gratitude for being rescued.”

And when it comes to food, he is not picky – anything offered is fair game.

With 58 cats at home, Raziellia’s bond with them is adorable. “They recognise my voice and come running without even seeing me.”

Every year, Raziellia dresses all her cats in matching festive outfits sewn by her mother. This year, the ensemble is in a rich brown, which Toyen carries with style.

Raziellia admitted that caring for so many cats is a huge commitment, not just financially.

“I rarely have time for friends because my priority is my cats. And I am happy with my choice, it’s my passion. I never feel burdened,” she said.

Seeing Toyen transform from a wounded stray into a healthy, affectionate feline has brought Raziellia immense joy. Even more rewarding is knowing that he is just one of many strays who has found a loving home with her.

Follow Raziellia Nor Saafri on TikTok.

This article was written by Theevya Ragu @ FMT Lifestyle. Read more pet stories here.

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