Snowy's Story

It's not surprising really that I get asked a lot if I can help find a home for someone's cat. There are all sorts of reasons why a person finds they're no longer able to care for their cat, and wants to ensure that they go to a good home - after all, they've been very loved for many years. I know from my experiences at Animals in Distress that many people don't do this, so if someone asks for help I try very hard to do all I can.

Trouble is, although I know lots of people who love cats, it's probably because they've already got cats, and there's no room for, or possibility to take, another cat into the home. I've written before about multiple cat households, and it can be very difficult integrating a new cat, ensuring that all are still happy. So, although it's always disappointing when people say no for this reason, that really is for the best. They say no because they care about them all and wouldn't want to cause any distress.

But I do what I can. I send emails, ask my customers, post notes on Facebook, even write blogs. I even suggest seeing whether a local animal sanctuary has room, and although lots of people are very reluctant, they do an excellent job of finding good new homes. Earlier this year I wrote about Sid and Eddie - I asked around, but no-one was able to take them, so they went into Animals in Distress. It took a little while, but eventually a lovely lady from Warrington took them to live with her and her Westie.

So when I received a mobile voicemail from a lady who said that my hairdresser, who's a friend of hers, told her I could rehome cats my heart sank! I called her anyway, and had a lovely chat. As with most people her situation was very genuine and rather sad. She'd recently had a baby who was very poorly and would need lots of attention and time. She had two cats, one of whom was really quite independent, but they were worried for Snowy who was very affectionate and needy. A real lap cat, never happier than when snuggled onto someone's knees.

Anyway, I'll always ask around, and hoped (against hope) that I could find someone. My friend Janet had lost her lovely Mungo a few months before, and he had been very affectionate. Although Tiggy still lived with them, she just wasn't that sort of cat, and they missed having a cat they could cuddle. She did wonder how Tiggy might take to a new addition to the family, but she'd been used to another cat before - in fact Tiggy came to live with them while Mungo was there.

So Janet decided she'd give it a go. Snowy was brought to them a few weeks ago now, and really settled in fairly quickly. There was a little growling between the two cats, but neither seemed to be too bothered. I went to meet her for the first time a couple of weeks ago, and she is so beautiful! And doing very well too. She's got lovely soft white fur and bright green eyes, like emeralds. They'd bought her a green collar and bell to match her eyes, and the effect is stunnng. I keep getting updates from Janet - I can't help but be interested to know how she's doing - and it's really all good news.

The important thing is that the house and garden are both big enough so that they can both have their own space, and special places to go. Janet's not forced either of them, and has continued to reassure Tiggy that she always loves her - giving equal attention to both cats in the way that's right for them. Of course, it's still a work in progress, but things are looking good. And I'm so glad that I was able to help Snowy to find a lovely new home.

I'm sure that I'll continue to receive similar requests from time to time, and I'll always do what I can - but it's not always as easy as this.