Woman loses cancer battle after seeking homes for her animals

In an interview with WRAL News last week, Susan Lee said she wanted to make sure her “fur kids” were well cared for if something happened to her.

Lee, who described herself as an independent animal rescuer, learned in December that the cancer had spread to her brain.

Lee, 55, had undergone radiation twice – each time coming back to the home where she grew up and where she always had animals nearby.

“I love this place. My mom has been blessed, I’ve been blessed to live here,” she said as one of her dogs, Lily, sauntered over to lick her face. The pup was one of eight dogs and six cats that still needed homes as of last week.

Lee rescued animals for 35 years. She said they just need someone to help them out, someone who understands. She was doing her best to get them adopted.

Lee said her cancer strengthened her faith and made her grateful for each day. It also strengthened her bond with her brood of pets, which also included special-needs horses.

“I hope there will never be a day that I’m alive that I don’t have an animal with me,” she said. “I worry about my mother. Who is going to look after her? I worry about my animals. Who is going to look after them?”

“Not knowing is the hardest part,” she said. “Not knowing what comes next.”