Coco, who became the store cat of Randa’s Market at 16th and Valencia streets shortly after a Waymo killed KitKat in October, has leukemia and no longer calls the liquor store her home.
Randa’s Market owner Mike Zeidan said the veterinarian discovered leukemia during a visit to get Coco shots and spayed.
After the blood cancer showed up in tests, Zeidan decided Coco needed a change of scenery.
“I didn’t think the environment at the store would be good because she’s going to have a weak immune system and a lot of trips to the vet,” said Zeidan, adding that the diagnosis could be costly.
Zeidan learned of a sanctuary in Santa Rosa called SNAP Cats that cares for kitties with special needs. He figured that was the place for Coco.
The only problem? SNAP Cats was full and could not take Coco. Karen Langland, the wife of the Roxie Theater’s director of publicity who is also a cat sitter, then offered to provide a temporary home for Coco until a space in the sanctuary opens up.
Coco’s trip to Sonoma County, however, will have to wait. Langland successfully found a new permanent home for the kitty.
Zeidan, who described Coco as beautiful, friendly, amazing and energetic, said the decision to let her go was not an easy one.
“Needless to say, it’s heartbreaking. We lost KitKat and now this,” said Zeidan. “It’s a little bit hard, but we’re okay.”
“Where’s the kitty?” asked a customer as she left the store on Monday.
“She was sick,” Zeidan replied. The store owner said he would get yet another bodega cat, but there is no timeline for arrival yet. He said he would prefer a male tabby like KitKat.