Meet Ricola | Sponsor Pet Program

Meet Ricola! Ricola’s journey to health and happiness required a lot of support from her Animal League America family. When signs of medical issues became apparent despite her best efforts to mask them with her cheerful spirit, our Medical Team sprang into action.

The team tirelessly devoted themselves to creating a plan of treatment for microvascular dysplasia (also known as a liver shunt), a condition that requires medicine, a prescription diet, and monitoring for the rest of her life. Fortunately for Ricola, she joined our Pet Sponsorship Program where her special care will be covered thanks to the generosity of our donors. Our staff has also diagnosed her with a serious case of cuteness, and for that there is no cure! Thank you for sponsoring Ricola!

Your donation today to our Pet Sponsorship Program will ensure that Ricola, and all our Sponsor animals, are taken care of so they can have the happy lives they deserve.

2023 Updates

November 2023

Ricola (aka Ricki) has been exceedingly patient with her toddler brother, especially while he is learning how to be gentle. She continues to exhibit lots of energy and is adventurous and fun-loving, proving that not all cats are reticent!

May 2023

Ricola (aka Ricki) is “thriving as queen of the house!” said mom Christina. Small but feisty, Ricki prefers roughhousing with her cat brothers to any toys. She’ll never turn down a cuddle and a belly rub, however! Her family adores her unique personality and exclaimed, “She has truly been a gift in our lives.”

March 2023

Ricki continues to do incredibly well, in health and spirits! Mom Christina told us that she loves roughhousing her cat brothers but also enjoys running upstairs to her favorite spot on her dad’s recliner to cuddle up. “We welcomed Ricki into our home a few weeks before the pandemic,” recalled Christina, “and we’re so grateful because there’s no way to be around her and not be filled with happiness and joy, even in the worst moments.”

2022 Updates

November 2022

Ricola (aka Ricki) continues to be her unique, fun-loving, and adventurous self. “She really isn’t like any cat we’ve ever had,” Christina said. “Ricki doesn’t shy away from her human baby brother and loves to rub up against him when he’s doing tummy time!” Ricki can even handle the toddler in their home and is patient with his attempts to be gentle. “Her energy is unmatched,” Christina added. “I’m happy to say she’s in great health and spirit!”

June 2022

Ricola (aka Ricki) is her mom’s partner in crime, and continues to be a “crazy and lovable” cat. Christina and her husband welcomed their second son in 2021 and now she and Ricki are the only two girls in the house full of boys. “Ricki’s energy is just as unwavering as her affection,” said Christina. “Sometimes she gets these bursts of energy and if you’re not careful she will run you down. She keeps us on our toes, and spreads joy and light to our family.”

March 2022

Ricki continues to thrive as a healthy, rambunctious little girl! “She loves to bully her kitty siblings around,” her mom, Christina reports. “She will rile them up and chase them around the house.” Ricki has her soft side too, and when she isn’t on the move, she is cuddling her brothers, both feline and human! More to come as Ricki’s family will soon be welcoming a new baby brother into the mix. Says Christina, “I can’t wait to see how Ricki grows and what new story I have for you as we enter this new stage of our lives.”

2021 Updates

November 2021

Nothing is slowing Ricki down, and her energy has even surpassed that of her feline brothers, Julian and Trey. “Ricki is a light in our lives,” said mom, Christina. “She’s been thriving and her health is holding strong.” When Ricki does get tired, she trots upstairs to her bed to sleep. Along with energy, Ricki has incredible patience for her human toddler brother. “Ricki lets him pet her and grab her tail just long enough before she’s over it and darts off,” Christina said. “It makes him laugh — he loves her so much. We all do! I can’t imagine our family without her.”

July 2021

Ricki’s mom, Christina, tells us that Ricki has been a light for them. She says, “Ricki’s favorite activity continues to be keeping her cat brothers on their toes! Sometimes we find them cuddling with one another and get lost in the bond they have. It’s a beautiful distraction.” Ricki has also been very loving and patient with her human brother, Noah. At 10 months, he is very explorative and Ricki is tolerant whether he’s pulling her tail or rubbing his face all over him!

March 2021

Ricki came into Christina and Dave’s life two weeks before the pandemic began in 2020 and they’re so grateful that she became part of their lives when she did. Then three months later Christina gave birth to her son, Noah. Ricki went from being the “baby” of the family to having this little human come in and “steal her thunder.” They definitely saw a little acting out from her. But as the baby started to grow and she got used to him, Ricki, and not her fur-siblings, has actually become the cat that has bonded with him the most. When Noah lays on the floor, staring in admiration of Ricki, she gets close to him so that he can feel and pet her. Christina has even caught her giving him a little kiss. The family believes that she now knows that even though there’s a baby in the home, they still have a lot of love and attention to give her! Ricki’s had no new medical issues and she’s responding well to her medication. “We love our little Ricki and can’t wait to see what 2021 has in store for her!” says Christina.

2020 Updates

November 2020

Ricola, aka Ricki, has been medically stable and her energy levels are unparalleled! When her parents, Christina and Dave, bring Ricki in to cuddle with her feline siblings, Julian and Trey, the humans joke that they get a look from the brothers that says, “Oh great, here she comes!” She really does keep the humans, including new baby Noah, and cats on their toes! In the crazy world 2020 has brought, Ricki has been that constant ray of light and positivity who, in her moments of making them smile and laugh, could make them forget that the world was going through a pandemic. Her family gets the best love from their three special kitties. They’re so glad they adopted them all, including Ricki, because now they’re part of the family and they wouldn’t have it any other way!