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 A
black African leopard. When federal agents rescued Nikki from a
drug raid, she was found
chained to a wall in the room with the drugs. She had been starved
down till her hip bones protruded hideously and her hair was falling
out.
She had been beaten and abused to such an extent that she hated all
humans and tried to bite anyone who came near her.
The agents tried placing Nikki with several
different animal rescue organizations but no one could get her to
eat or even drink. Finally, her plight was brought to the attention
of the federal agent who inspects the Exotic Cat Refuge and Wildlife
Orphanage. When asked if he had any idea what to do with Nikki, he
said, 'Yes, there's a place in Kirbyville, Texas and if anyone could
save this beautiful leopard, Monique could'.
By the time Nikki reached Monique, she
couldn't even hold up her own body weight and the veterinarian said
she wouldn't make it through the night. She would pull herself up
with her front legs, take a couple of steps and fall over.
Nikki still had enough fight to be angry,
snarling and biting. With blood running down her arms from Nikki's
vicious attacks, Monique refused to give up. She sat with Nikki
talking quietly to her and feeding her a spoonful of food at a time.
With time and Monique's unique ability to
rehabilitate the most abused, sick and hurting animals, Nikki is
now one of the sweetest and happiest cats at the Refuge. She
loves attention and being petted. She will purr loudly, flip
upside down on top of her house and stick her silky paws through
her fencing for you to play with her
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