14 Tails, 1 Heart: Meet the Indonesian Vet Who Built a Life with 14 Rescue Cats

CatSwoppr Team
Jul 8
2 min read

A Journey That Began with Two Tiny Lives

Rina from Yogyakarta never set out to become a cat rescuer. A veterinarian in Indonesia, she thought she had her path mapped. Then two kittens changed everything.

In 2022, she came across two fragile kittens, Kimmy and Shiro. One was nearly hit by a car; the other was hiding alone with a flu and eye infections. “I thought two was enough,” Rina recalls with a smile. But fate had bigger plans.

Soon, more cats appeared—on the streets, outside her clinic, and even at her doorstep. What started as a moment of compassion became a way of life, full of paws, purrs, and purpose.

A House Full of Love (and Fur)

Today, Rina shares her home with 14 cats. It started with 12—hence the name Selusin Cat Family (“Selusin” means a dozen in Bahasa Indonesia).

Each morning begins with a noisy breakfast crowd, followed by feeding, cleaning, health checks, and of course, cuddle breaks. The cats even have their own room—part playground, part sanctuary.

“It’s a chaotic, furry, beautiful life—and I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” she says.

Challenges Along the Way

Life in rescue isn’t always sunshine and head boops. It’s heartbreak too.

Some neighbours complain. Worse still, two beloved strays were poisoned. “It broke my heart,” she admits. That’s why all her rescues are now “indoor cats”, where they’re safe.

There are tough moments, and the weight of knowing she can’t save them all hurts. But every happy purr, every once-scared cat learning to trust again—that’s what keeps her going.

Not for Adoption, But for Life

Early on, Rina tried to rehome some of the cats. But too often they were returned—or worse, mistreated.

So she drew a line.

“No more adoptions,” she says. “They’re family now.”

Instead, she shares their stories on Instagram and TikTok, showing the world that rescue cats aren’t broken—they’re full of life, personality, and lessons about love.

Healing Hearts, One Cat at a Time

Every rescue receives a full medical check, treatment, and—when needed—intensive care. But what matters just as much is trust.

One rescue’s story stands out. A badly injured cat, barely breathing after an accident, held Rina’s hand throughout her emergency treatment. Despite losing her babies and undergoing tongue surgery, she survived. And today, she’s thriving in a loving home.

“She taught me what it means to be strong,” says Rina.