You could say Pooks has been put through the wringer.

This put-upon but patient Persian has had a difficult start in life so far, and her life is about to get harder as her current owner is no longer able to care for her.

On the plus side, Pooks possesses a pleasant, sweet personality and a group of people rallying to help her.

Her current owner, Allison Wilson, purchased the cat for $350 about a year ago from a breeder in Washington.

Upon meeting the tiny feline, Wilson was dismayed to find she was flea-infested, and her fur was matted and soaked with urine. She took her home anyway.

Wilson promptly bathed Pooks and took her to a veterinarian, who said she had respiratory and eye infections that needed treatment – and that the cat was likely between two and four years old. That further surprised Wilson, who thought the tiny feline was just a kitten.

The cat required frequent baths to rid her of her fleas and matted hair, and she wasn't house-trained; she used her food dish as a litter box.

Wilson taught her to use a cat box and cared for her as best she could.

"I can tell she has been neglected for attention," Wilson says, "and I honestly see that she appreciates every brushing and bath and knows I'm trying to help her."

Another veterinary visit revealed Pooks' toenails are growing through her paw pads, she suffers from an eyelash disorder that causes her bottom eyelashes to grow inwards, and she needs to be spayed.

Wilson has worked hard to nurture Pooks back to health, but she recently lost her job and is struggling with illness herself. She contacted Cat's Cradle Rescue, a small nonprofit based in Hillsboro.

The rescue is trying to raise money to cover the medical costs to remove three ingrown toenails, as well as the spay surgery, which will likely total around $400.

Since Wilson is no longer able to care for her, Pooks will also need a new home.

"She has an extremely friendly personality and enjoys being bathed," Wilson says. "She loves being brushed and needs to be brushed often."

She does require regular maintenance on her nails and fur, but Wilson says Pooks patiently allows her nails to be sanded and endures frequent baths with Johnson's Baby Shampoo. (Flea shampoo irritates her sensitive skin).

The cat also gets along well with Wilson's other pets, including another cat and a small dog.

If you want to adopt or help Pooks, contact Cat's Cradle at info@catscradlerescue.com or Wilson at ahwilson85@yahoo.com.

You can also help by donating online at catscradlerescue.com. Click the "Donate Now" paw and specify that you want your donation to go toward Pooks.

--Monique Balas; msbalaspets@gmail.com