Charlestown: Alfie the cat given blood transfusion by ‘little hero’ Saffy after leg amputated

A Sydney cat holidaying in Newcastle has been deemed a hero after giving a lifesaving blood transfusion to a feline friend after its leg was amputated in a hiss-terical turn of events.

Alfie from Charlestown broke his leg and it had to be amputated after an injury on Christmas day 2024. Alfie is now recovering. 'Saffy' the cat saved her with a blood transfusion. Supplied.

A Sydney cat holidaying in Newcastle has been deemed a hero after giving a lifesaving blood transfusion to a feline friend after its leg was amputated in a hiss-terical e-meow-gency.

And the 11th hour miracle was more intense than an episode of Grey’s Anatomy.

Early Christmas morning, four-year-old cat Alfie let himself in at his Charlestown home before suffering a massive fracture in his leg – bones sticking out.

It was a horrific sight for the Dawson family, who cherish the pawsome pet.

In an emergency situation, the family was told Alfie’s leg needed to be amputated.

'Saffy' the hero cat (pictured) who saved Alfie the cat when she donated blood after Alfie broke her leg and it had to be amputated. Supplied.

Alfie recovering. Supplied.

Unfortunately it didn’t go as smoothly as planned.

“Alfie had the amputation which we were told was a simple procedure, but after there were complications. The next morning at 3am they called and said he was bleeding out and he needed a blood transfusion ASAP,” Bridie Dawson said.

There was one option: drive to Ryde in Sydney for life saving cat blood or run the risk of Alfie dying.

In a state of distress, the family did not realise the solution was right under their noses.

Saffy the cat – staying with the family from Sydney – was their only hope.

Molly Dawson and Alfie the cat. Supplied.

On a cat holiday with Bridie’s sister Molly, it was Saffy’s time to shine as they took ‘the little hero’ to the vet and she was a miracle match.

“She was a match and she was able to donate blood which is insane,” Ms Dawson said.

“They told us there was no cat blood anywhere in the Hunter region. It’s truly an unbelievable story.

“Saffy gets treats every day and definitely knows she’s done a good deed, walking around purring in the house all the time, she’s very proud of herself and so are we.

Bridie Dawson with Alfie as a baby cat. Supplied.

“Alfie is figuring out his new life, hopping around and trying not to fall over but he’s quite positive and figuring it all out - they’re very adaptable.”

With emergency vet bills and continued recovery costs mounting, a GoFundMe has been launched to help the family.