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Heartbreak as sick stray cat Maximus dies despite generous donations

Cat lovers have been left heartbroken after the death of sick stray Maximus.

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Maximus

Thousands of people have reacted to the news that Maximus the cat died on Friday, six weeks after he was rescued from the street in Great Barr.

Stray Cat Rescue Team West Midlands, which is based in Wolverhampton and Birmingham, raised more than £8,000 for Maximus' treatment last month and was looking for a long-term foster home.

Maximus, who had been a stray for at least 10 years, was Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) positive, had a number of infections and his claws were curling under into his paw, causing him huge discomfort.

He had been receiving treatment at White Cross Vets in Wolverhampton but the bill was increasing.

Maximus the cat

Lucy Strickland, who set up the cat rescue in 2018, posted on Facebook saying: "The hardest post I have ever had to write.

"At 7.30pm tonight, we lost the funniest, strongest, most amazing cat to ever grace this earth.

"At 5.30pm the vets rang to say Maximus was struggling and to make our way up. His breathing wasn't right, he was on oxygen and myself, Jade, Julie, vet nurses Jo and Sioned held him and comforted him until he decided it was time to leave us.

"He had no fight left and his breathing had totally changed. Medically, there was no sign of anything wrong. There wasn't a stone left unturned in Maximus's treatment.

"Everything that could have been done, was done. We fought so hard, the vets fought so hard, and Max fought so hard. He was our special little soldier.

Maximus the cat

"In the eight weeks we knew Max, We had so many ups, and so many downs. His character amazed me, In fact, he never ever failed to put a smile on my face.

"All I can do now is hope. Hope that Maximus has made people aware. If you see a stray cat living a rough life, do not walk by and think someone else will help. Think of Max, think of his amazing, funny, nosey, hilariously loving character, and help save a life.

"Of all the cats I have known, I've never ever known a cat quite like you Max. I'll miss everything about you and right now I feel physically sick to think I can't just pop to see you. Your memory will live on. Forever. I love you, so much."

People have drawn pictures of Maximus and one social media user even wrote a poem, which hundreds of people have liked on Twitter.

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