Rehoming Success Stories
Socks - fallen on feet.
I hear that black or black and white cats often tend to get overlooked, but my prospective adoptees couldn’t understand why. They were hoping to get a black cat and initially looked into adopting Ben, but their location was a little too close to a busy road, hence more suitable for a female cat with less of an urge to wander far. When they came round to see me they thought I looked sweet in my black suit, white bib and socks. However, I felt wary, keeping away in my corner of the chalet whilst the strange humans tried to entice me closer. They didn’t know whether I would find it easy to settle with them but decided to give it a go, and came back for me later that day.
When I arrived in my new home they settled me into a warm, quiet room with everything I needed but I still felt overwhelmed. I spent a fair amount of time hiding under a table during that first night and growled at one point. Thankfully the new people didn’t crowd me too much, and when they came in and out they spoke quietly.
I ventured out to explore the rest of my new house the next day. I got used to my new mum quite quickly as she was around for most of the time. I was more shy with the man and even got my claws out a couple of times when he petted me, but he didn’t react and I soon figured out that he wasn’t a threat. These days I enjoy being stroked by both of them, purring like mad, and will headbutt them for cuddles or roll over and stretch out so that they can rub my tum. Apparently, their previous cat would have had their hand off if they tried that, but she adored being stroked under the chin, whereas I can take or leave it.
I’m told that I make excellent company. I’m very vocal and have spent a while training my new owners in the subtle differences between miaows meaning ‘feed me’, ‘give me a cuddle’ and ‘go and open the back door’. We understand each other’s ways pretty well now and I’m living up to Lois’s description of being a laid back cat now that I feel comfortable. Mum enjoys gardening and she often keeps me company out there - I find sitting under her chair makes a good sunshade if I’m not stationed in my favourite spot under the japanese maple. Initially there were a few turf wars over territory as there are a lot of cats nearby but everything seems to have settled down. I go over the fence occasionally, but I’m usually quite happy to stay in my own small garden, so I was definitely a good choice for a cat that likes to stay close to home. And speaking of home, my folks say that the house didn’t feel like a home without having a cat around, and that I’m the best puss in the world so I’m doing a fine job!
Thanks for looking after me.
Socks
August 2008
THE ONE AND OLLIE
Buongiorno, my name is Ollie and it always has been. I'm a pure white, well mannered, "big paws".
This month (May 2009) I'll be 3 years old, half of my life I've spent now with Alessandra and Gordon, two artists. We love one another deeply. Our family live in central London, in a quiet place with lots of backyard court gardens, to roam around and patrol. My neighbour George is older than me, we have such fun chasing each other in our territories, but my favourite pastime is hunting mice. They all say that I'm very good at it.
Sometimes I watch nature on TV, I adore my own mohair blanket on my raised bed area from where I overlook my realm...Oh, the good life! Alessandra and I play a lot, she works mainly from home. I'm into food, I like yogurt very much. I enjoy to be petted and groomed. Pictures of me and other handsome cats were shown at CAT HOLIC, an exhibition by Alessandra. Lois from CAS and her daughters came along to see it.
I'll always remember the lady next door that fed me after I had been abandoned, left outdoors for twenty days to fend for myself and Lois, who took great care of me for two months . Alessandra and Gordon had been searching for me for a while ,after the sudden loss of young Dylan, their previous cat. They found me through CAS web site and everything came together magically...I AM THE ONE AND OLLIE
(May 2009)
From Lois
Ollie's owners went to live in Spain leaving their daughter in charge of the house and Ollie. The daughter went ‘walkabout’ following two family deaths and Ollie’s owners signed him over to us. He's a lovely, pure white cat and his new owners dote on him – Alessandra and her husband Gordon own and run an art gallery under Edgware Road and Ollie has been ‘used’ in a couple of photographic art installations. Alessandra also keeps any of Ollie’s fur that she combs out – rolls it into balls!! He ‘replaced’ their much loved Dylan (also a pure white male cat) and leads the life of ‘Riley’!
Ben
Hello,
Thought you’d like to hear how I’m getting on...can’t believe I’ve been here 5 weeks now and I’m starting to feel quite at home. I have lazy days lying on the sofa or bed and having a poodle round the garden and exploring a bit then make sure I’m about to welcome mum home with lots of chatter and she makes a fuss of me and gives me my tea (sometimes 2 courses!) and then we settle down and watch a bit of TV or I help her around the house by lying down on whatever she’s trying to do! Most of the time we sit looking adoringly at each other!
The only fly in the ointment is that Richard fella who comes around now and again. He wants nearly as much attention as me (!) and it’s a bit of a squash on the sofa with the 3 of us (me in the middle of course!) but I think he’s beginning to know his place (after me!) and it’s quite handy as he's sometimes there during the day and gives me extra food!
I’ve chased off a couple of local cats which I think mum was a bit upset about (she thinks I’m going to be a bit of a bully) but it’s taken me long enough to find a home of my very own so I’m not going to let any other b*gger in! We had a visit from a nice looking girl cat on Valentine’s Day, she was quite bold and came right up to me – I wasn’t having any of it though and sat firmly in front of my cat flap. I noticed she had a magnet just like mine round her neck as though she was going to be cheeky and follow me in! I’ve finally got a collar that stays on, it’s bright red and has my name and phone number imprinted on it so no chance of losing me.
I’m getting lots of presents from mum’s friends which is all very nice and apparently we have visitors from Spain next week so I'll have to be on my best behaviour. New carpet has been laid and I’ve been really good and only had one go at it! My latest trick is to give a big sigh and put my head in my paws and mum immediately rushes over to see what’s wrong! I think I’ve got her eating out of my paw!
Mum says I was really lucky to have you two as foster parents and giving me such a good start and I’m sure you’re giving another cat a lovely start too. Mum has taken photos of handsome old me (that’s what she always says anyway!) and is going to send you one or two.
Well, bye for now. Lots of purrs and meows. Ben xx. (February 2009)
Flicker (Maddie) & Harley (Lucia)
Hello,
We wanted to let you know how happy we are with our new humans – and how happy they are with us!
We were adopted at the end of April 2008. Our kind CAS fosterer, Lois, thought initially that we would be better going to separate homes, but we are so glad that our new female human wanted both of us, as we now get on so well. We’re auntie and niece and spend most of our time together, having a mother-baby relationship.
I’m usually quietly dominant, but this suits Harley as she likes me to check anything new out first and takes her lead from me. Harley has a defiant look, but really her only act of rebellion is pinching my food. We both love our food and at the beginning we naughtily stole some pork chops that were defrosting on the kitchen worktop, but we don’t do things like that anymore.
Our best friend is Uncle Chris next door, who came in to feed us when our humans, Julie and David, went somewhere for a week called on holiday, because he gave us more biscuits than our normal ration.
It took Julie and David ages to choose new names for us. Whenever Julie made a suggestion, David protested, “Oh, no, I’m not shouting out that soppy name from the doorstep!” Eventually they agreed on Flicker (like an orange flame because I’m mainly ginger) and Harley (Harlequin) because she, being tortoiseshell, has blocks of different colours on her chest and face.
As you can see, we usually snuggle up together using each other as pillows. When we wake up we wash each other in turn or in unison. Often we trot outdoors side by side like a couple of carriage ponies and love exploring the neighbours’ gardens, doing patrol duty together on nearby fences and sheds. We have games of chase with one another and are a real team when fending off other mogs, although there are one or two who we don’t mind.
At first we couldn’t get the hang of the hole in the back door, as we didn’t like the thing that flapped back and forth over it. We don’t think we’d used one of these contraptions before. Julie stood outside the door dangling pieces of meat or fish, but we just stayed put in the kitchen eyeing her distrustfully before jabbing out paws at lightning speed through the hole, spearing the goodies with our claws and gobbling down the grub. Eventually she gave up coaxing and one day, when we’d totally forgotten about The Hole, she took us unawares and gently pushed us through and we were out into the big wide world! Before that, we found the window sills terrifically exciting and would jump on and off them all day long.
We learned another good game last week. We brought a dormouse into the house and it amused us greatly when Julie spent an hour on her hands and knees chasing our present around the sitting room before catching it in a shoe box and releasing it at the end of the garden, while we were sadly kept indoors.
We’ve been in our new home for 6 months now and feel well settled. I am the more confident one and purr when our humans pick me up. Harley is still a little nervous and will only be held fairly briefly before wriggling like mad. However, we are quite happy when the humans join us on our settee and we both love being stroked and having our tummies and paws rubbed.
Maiow/Thank you
from Flicker and Harley and Humans Julie and David
October 2008 (Posted Jan 2009)
Cyril - Lord of our Manor
Cyril, formally Sandy, came to our attention on your website in January 2008 and after seeing him in the flesh, we just knew he was the one for us. On returning home, Cyril took himself onto the landing and remained asleep for the next couple of hours. He came down stairs, meowed at us around the living room door and since then he's been our little boy.
Cyril stamped his authority on the neighbourhood and before long, he’d marked out his territory, bringing his lucky owners a couple of pigeons in the process! He's developed a taste for some strange foods, including gooseberry tarts and Cajun potato wedges which he's cheekily stolen from the work tops in the kitchen. Everyone who meets Cyril is drawn to him, as he's so friendly and eager to be part of the conversation.
During the colder nights, he provides us with a lap warmer and is always looking to sit with us and watch the television.
We consider ourselves very lucky to have had the opportunity to care for Cyril, he's given us so many memories over the last year and we hope he is extremely happy living as the Lord that he clearly believes he is. Our only wish would be that we'd known Cyril since a kitten, as he would have been extremely handsome.
A massive thank you goes to Liz from the Samaritans, who’s always been available for advice during the last 12 months.
Many thanks
Chris & Rachel
(December 2008)
Padme and Leia (Lucy and Lulu)
We have had the pleasure of sharing our home with these beautiful girls for over a year now. When I first rang Anna to to see if we could adopt a cat/kittens, I was suprised to be the proud new owner of a very shy mum and her kitten 2 days later. My boyfriend (now husband) was even more suprised as I flew off to Hong Kong a few days later with work and he was left looking after them.
They were so scared when they first came and liked to find any cupboard to hide in or bed to run under. They could usually be found cuddling up together under the bed, grooming one another or Leia noisily drinking milk from her mum. However a few months later, you'd be watching a film on the sofa and suddenly find mum nestled on your lap and the kitten sitting on the arm rest.
It is so nice that they have each other for company as during the day me and my husband are at work. When we are at home, the cats will often drift into the room we are sitting in and then drift off to sleep on the neareast chair/bed/bag/box/clean pile of laundry!! However they also love exploring in the back garden and the kitten has been spotted wandering further and further from home, especially when chasing squirrels. The girls seem very happily settled now and although they can be shy when we have visitors, they are getting braver every day.
Mum doesn't like to be picked up but she likes to be stroked and often comes up to us for attention, even licking our faces in bed if she thinks it is time we got up and fed her! She will sleep at the end of the bed if we leave the door open. The kitten prefers to guard her post at the top of the stairs, but if you walk past her she can't resist rolling onto her back for a tummy rub.....she looks like a little puppy and she is so cute who could resist!
If you love animals and are thinking about getting a cat/kittens I totally recommend rehoming from the Croydon Animal Samaritans. Every cat has a different personality/needs and although yours might not be constantly purring on your lap (our kitten is often out partying with neighbouring cats at the end of our street), given love, patience and time, even the shyest cats can be great companions. If our cats don't want to be picked up, I'm quite happy to let them get on with their sleeping/exploring and let me know when they want to be fussed over. Just watching them so relaxed in their new home makes me happy.
Just remember cat food, vaccinations, vets bills etc add up and you need to think about who will look after the cats if you go away for a weekend or holiday. They can live til their late teens so you are talking years of expenses - but I think if you can afford them, they are worth every penny!
Hannah 24/9/08
Alfie - My ray of sunshine
This is our story, the story of Alfie my FiV positive cat and me, his well trained human cat-slave. It all began back in March of this year when I started looking to adopt a cat. I had not long moved into a new flat and really wanted to give a home to a needy cat. I was successfully home vetted by a local charity, but they had no indoor cats available at that time. They suggested that I might like to consider giving a home to an FiV cat so I started looking. I came across the Croydon Animal Samaritans’ (C.A.S) website and there, on the front page, that momentous evening, I found Alfie. This was also my introduction to the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FiV). I guess it was a case of love at first sight, I just knew that Alfie or “Little Al” as he was then called was going to find a home with me.
So “what’s FiV all about?” you’re most probably asking yourself, that’s certainly what I thought at the time. As any responsible cat “owner” would do I did a bit of research on the internet about FiV and was surprised and re-assured to discover that FiV cats can lead long and healthy lives if some common-sense precautions are adhered to. FiV cats also make excellent indoor cats as they must be kept away from the risk of infection and any chances of them infecting another cat, although FiV is most frequently transmitted by delivering a penetrating bite. This was ideal for me as I live in a flat and I wanted an indoor cat that would be happy, healthy and safe in this environment. There is no risk to humans of catching FiV as it is specific to cats.
Alfie was about 2 years old then and, as I discovered, had had a pretty awful start to life and I knew that I could offer him all the love and attention that he needed and felt sure that through his companionship he’d repay me in kind. In this I wasn’t to be disappointed as, since then, he has done so one hundred-fold and more.
Over the course of the last 8 or so months Alfie has enriched my life beyond description, he’s brought a real ray of sunshine into my daily existence. If anyone is considering adopting a cat then I can personally recommend that you consider giving a loving home to an FiV positive cat such as Alfie as they have so much to offer and I am sure he/she will bring you the same joy that Alfie brings me.
Finally, I’d just like to say that this story is completely un-solicited, I chose to write it because I hope that it will help someone to understand about FiV cats and the incredible compassion and support offered by Croydon Animal Samaritans. As for Alfie, well he’s a 100% normal cat doing what normal cats do, playing with his toys, enjoying his meals, getting up to mischief and above all doing what he does best, showing his love for me in so many ways every day. Getting to know each other and sharing our lives with one another has been one of the best experiences in life that I’ve ever had.
Thank you Croydon Animal Samaritans.
Loud purrs from Alfie (not-so-“Little” Al)
Best wishes
Leigh K.
October 2006.
AN UPDATE - DECEMBER 2007
You will be interested to read that Alfie has won a competition this year, coming first in Petmillions, beating off many others as competition, having read his story, just some of the judges thoughts on Alfie were:
"I was touched by Alfies owners comments. Alfie has had a traumatic start in life but has been given a second chance thanks to his owner and the cat rescue centre. He seems like a big furball of love"
"While there may be 'prettier' pets in the contest I personally don't believe any pet deserves to win more than Alfie"
"Alfie is a darling. I couldn't resist the Alfie charm and his owners touching words."
"Alfie may very well turn out to be a contentious choice but in my opinion he sums up what petmillions is all about and i cast my winning vote for Alfie"
You may also like to read the website that Alfie's owner has created to make people aware of what it is like to own a cat that has FIV. Please go to http://www.alfie-cat.co.uk/
Daisy and Ginge (back in Summer 2006 when Ginge was 6 weeks)
Daisy and Ginge moved in with us in August last year. Daisy had a rough start in life because she was one of the many cats rescued from terrible conditions at Hurstpierpoint in April 2006. She was looked after by foster parents, Jane and Paul and gave birth to Ginge shortly afterwards. They were shown on the website where we saw them and fell in love with them straightaway.
Both Ginge and Daisy have extra toes on all paws, they are both ginger and white. Daisy has a beautiful face and a gentle nature and Ginge is a very handsome lad with a mischievous streak.
Ginge settled in quite easily but Daisy needed a bit more patience. She was very wary of humans and still is, however she loves other cats and doesn’t mind dogs either. We had to keep them in for 9 months to build their confidence but now nothing stops them! They love the garden especially hiding in the bushes and pouncing on whoever goes past. We have 3 other cats and they all get on fine.
A MESSAGE FROM DAISY:-
"After my rough start I didn’t think I would find a loving home, especially with a kitten on the way. However Jane and Paul looked after me until I gave birth and then introduced us to our new parents. I was wary at first as I have learnt not to trust anyone. We were taken to our new home in the summer but I was very stressed and Ginge was only a baby. When we arrived I was pleasantly surprised, we had our own room all to ourselves where we could have peace and quiet. We had plenty to eat and had loads of toys to play with and were lovely and cosy in the winter. Now that the weather is warmer I love going in the garden and sitting in the sunshine. I trust my new parents even though I’m not keen on being handled too much but I love my neck being scratched. Unfortunately Ginge is too busy at the moment to leave a message because he is chasing butterflies in the garden."
Wendy and Richard Robinson
23/7/07
Daisy and Ginge now.........
Thanks from Henry
Hello. My name is Henry. Here am I at my back door, trying to avoid my
human's seed trays. (She is a bit keen on gardening).
Well Henry is my third name, third time lucky I hope. I had a different name a long time ago, but I have forgotten what it was. I am a bit like my first human's - forgetful. They forgot to take me with them when they moved, would you believe it. So, after a spell outside, I went to stay with Anna at CAS. She called me Micky.
It was OK at Anna's, nice and warm, but a bit cramped and boring in the chalet when one is used to the wide open spaces. I stayed a few months because I am, I admit, not very friendly toward strangers, particularly men. I’ve heard people say that I am not a looker, but I think I’m a handsome fellow. Then on New Years day I was bundled into a basket and driven a long way to a place called Sutton.
I hated this Sutton place at first. I hid under the bed. I could smell another cat and sadness. I later learnt that a CAS cat called Lottie had lived there before me and unfortunately after 10 years she had been put to sleep due to ill health. My human kept saying how much she missed Lottie.
Could I live up to this Lottie? Apparently not, as she was a quite gentle affectionate cat and I am constantly told I am a naughty boy with far too much energy. The term hooligan may even have been used.
Well, I'm very happy here. I love my human very much and I am even becoming quite friendly with the neighbours and visitors. I have a big garden to play in but sometimes I do go across the road, which is naughty. I am working at winning my human around with gifts of mice. Apparently, Lottie never did that. My human tells me she’s a vegetarian so they're surplus to requirements. What ever a veggie wotsit is. Never heard of one of those! She must want them though, because when she comes back home from being a nurse she always looks under the sofas to see if I’ve left her any more.
Sometimes I relapse and become a naughty boy again. She says that Lottie and I are like chalk and cheese but she is trying to respect our differences although it is hard at times. But, I have a microchip and a pet policy. So it looks like I’m staying. Yippee!
Thank you for finding me a home,
Love Henry.
April 2007
Paddy - Chi Chi
Just to let you know, Paddy, who we named Chi Chi (meaning energy and he certainly lives up to his name!) has settled into his new home nicely and receiving lots of love and attention. He's a very active boy and loves to play all the time especially with his favourite luminous orange fish on a stick (he's amazingly quick and leaps right into the air!) and his catnip filled mouse which he knocks about from room to room with great skill. He was very shy and nervous at first hiding under the bed but with two days of coaxing and strokes he came out wanting so much love and is the most affectionate cat ever. He's very inquisitive watching everything, following us everywhere - he even sits outside the bathroom door while I'm in the shower! He's an early riser as around 5am he jumps or rather lunges around the bed chasing toes and diving under the duvet wherever he can see a bit of skin to grab you with full claws and as soon as we stir or rather jump out of our skins he'll sit on your chest (and he's quite heavy) nose inches away purring very loudly while tapping our face s to get up so we've no need for an alarm clock! He's a real character and when he's had enough play he'll flop down letting out a big sigh before falling asleep with one leg dangling over somewhere. He's still a bit wary of strangers and small people but really coming out of his shell . When we come home from work he jumps up on the side to nuzzles our faces and likes me to pick him up and cuddle him. He started going out in the garden after a couple of weeks but didn't stay out for long preferring the warm and miaows very loudly to let us know he's home everytime he comes through the cat flap. Thank you so much for introducing him to us – he's wonderful. Best wishes to you all. Tonia & Adam xxxx
12.4.2007
Charlie and Max – Eight years on
Dear Croydon Animal Samaritans,
My friend has recently adopted one of your cats (Hannah) and I thought I'd drop you an email to let you know about Charlie & Max.
We adopted Charlie and Max (known to you as Jasper & Sandy) 8 years ago as tiny little kittens. We aren't sure of their exact start in life but we know that they were both very poorly indeed, particularly Max and they were nursed back to health by Animal Samaritans and the Vets. They are now both huge strapping lads.
We moved from a flat in Sutton to a house in Carshalton five years ago and they love the summer when the back door is open and they can race each other from the garage at the end of the garden right through the house to the front window. In the winter they love to snuggle up in their cradles on the radiator or cuddle up on your lap whilst you watch tv.
Max is still wary of strangers and hides under the duvet if someone comes to the house or if the dustmen collect the bins. Charlie is much more curious and likes to go next door and watch our neighbour’s tropical fish. They love them as well and keep an eye on them during the day, especially if the local ginger tom is around as he and Charlie hate each other and do like a nice fight. Not so pleasant for us having to take Charlie to the vets with a gashed tongue.
They really are a joy and we adore them.
With best wishes,
Carol Reyes
12/4/2007
The Odd Couple - Meet Lucy and Pinky
On Easter Sunday 2005 Barbara rang to say that a ferret had been found wandering on a road in Selsdon and so, Pinky came to join my menagerie. He has always enjoyed his walks in the garden on his lead and his frequent visits indoors, where he could interact with all the other rescues, before returning to his purpose built accommodation.
A few weeks ago Pinky became poorly and so moved permanently into the house to join the gang, only retiring to his own quarters at night. After undergoing tests, Pinky was diagnosed with lymphoma and is receiving treatment. He loves living indoors and is now toilet trained - Well, newspaper trained! He mixes in with all the animals, but his particular friends are Charlie, the collie cross, and Lucy, the most recent feline addition.
Lucy came to me last year from Audrey for socialising. She had some health issues, and by the time they were sorted her paws were firmly under the table and she was gaining trust in us, so she joined the household as cat number ten.
Lucy and Pinky are such good mates that they eat together as you can see. We don’t know how long Pinky will be with us, but at the moment he is a happy little chappy living with all his friends, and, is great fun to have about. He particularly likes chicken, and recently secretly unpacked my shopping and removed a whole organic chicken, which he manoeuvred out of the kitchen and tried to stow away in his lair under the sofa!
Heather. Emergency fosterer.
Jimi & Jack
My partner Alex and I adopted two male ginger kittens to Leighton Buzzard last November from Barbara Allen. We re-named them Jimi and Jack and I just wanted to let you know that they’re doing really well. From being two very shy little boys hiding under our laundry airer they and have grown into two beautiful, confident, and cheeky little cats with very different personalities. We had them neutered last month and they’re enjoying exploring the outdoors, especially the tall conifers at the end of our garden!
Thanks ever so much for bring us together with Jimi and Jack, I don’t remember what life was like before we had the little rascals!
Natalie Richards
Ebony & Earl
Hi
We rescued a pair of cats from you a week ago. (Ebony and Earl)
Just a quick note to let you know they're doing well. They've settled in fantastically seen as they were very shy cats. They are getting bolder by the day and are even starting to snuggle up with us now which is great.
As you can see from the pictures they also snuggle up with each other too which is so cute and it is clear they love each other very much.
They also love snuggling up with us at night and are very cheeky little boys and love playing with their toys, pouncing on each other and chasing each other around.
Anyway, It was just a quick note to let you know that they're settled in and that we're taking good care of the boys and to thank you once again.
Best Wishes
Katie Hobbs
A Thank You Letter From Lucy
To The Croydon Animal Samaritans
Hello, everyone.
My name is Lucy, I am a 13 year old tortoiseshell cat and I thought you might like to hear of a very successful and happy re-homing. I was happily living with my elderly lady owner until she became ill and had to go into a hospice. I was placed in a cattery called Moggie Minders, as it was hoped that my mum would be able to take me back. Sadly this was not possible and it was decided that I should be found a new home. The cattery was warm and comfortable and I got lots of stokes and treats, but it’s not like having your own home and a lap to sit on.
Rita who runs the cattery is a supporter of Croydon Animal Samaritans. Anna, her sister, fosters for CAS so Rita asked her if it might be possible to find me a home. Anna had an idea, and a brilliant one as it turned out. She knew of a lady called Louise who had adopted an older cat in similar circumstances to mine. She had given Sooty a lot of TLC and he spent some five happy if not blissful years with her until he passed away in September 2006. Anna knew that Louise was looking for a mature affectionate cat to adopt and thought that I might be "The Cat" for her. So on the 17th February, I was put into a basket, my bed, blanket and teddy bear accompanied me and I was off to my new home. I wasn't too worried, I had a strong feeling in my paws (which are seldom wrong!) that things were going to turn out well for me from now on. Possibly Louise was more nervous and excited as she awaited my arrival.
She wisely left me alone to explore my new surroundings, having shown me where my litter tray was and put some food and water down for when I felt like eating. I soon found a few good warm hiding places in her flat where I could indulge in my daily meditational practices i.e. snoozing, my favourite place being in a triangular area of mattress of a fold up bed in the spare room.
Louise seemed to be a quiet person, rather like my previous mistress, and eventually I felt confident enough to come out and sit beside her and later on her lap. I so needed to be stroked and to feel secure in a one to one relationship again. I also wanted to thank my new person for taking me into her home.
To cut a long story short, almost six weeks later, Louise and I have really settled in to a mutually happy routine. I snooze and listen to messages left on her answering machine while she is out at work, then in the evening we socialise, play with my toys and watch TV.
Sometimes she has visitors, they like to take lots of photos of me, it is called a photo shoot I believe. Being a model can be quite tiring, all the poses I am asked to adopt. Louise's cousin Anne came from Brighton to see me, armed with TWO cameras and Louise's nephew snapped me on his mobile phone camera and is sending pictures of me to his family in India, so I am an international model too! Life has become very interesting, rarely a dull evening.
I am so grateful to Louise for giving me such a loving home and my job and pleasure in life is to give her lots of affection. I am also grateful to Anna and her sister. I hope that the cats left in the care of CAS soon find loving, happy new homes.
LOTS OF LOVE FROM LUCY
PS: Louise's cousin in Brighton is writing this on my behalf .
12/4/2007
Bruce and Oscar
We have always been a cat family and when our beloved Charlie died in November 2005 we didn’t know if we’d have another again. By May 2006 we had decided that we would adopt a cat. We searched the internet for younger cats and we came across Bruce and Oscar. They are two ginger and white tabbies with the most beautiful markings. Oscar is slightly darker ginger than Bruce. But Bruce has extra toes on both front and back feet which can be very handy for picking food out of the bowl.
Bruce and Oscar had the worst possible start to life. They we two of the thirty cats found at Hurstpierpoint at Easter 2006. They are brothers from different litters. We were advised by their fosterers Jane and Paul that they were very timid and not used to any human contact. We knew this would be a challenge but were hoping the outcome would be worth the hard work.
Both cats were extremely timid and would not bear human contact but over time they have slowly got used to us. Now Bruce loves to be stroked and enjoys our company. Oscar is still not sure about us but will occasionally put up with having his face stroked, especially in the morning when he has woken up mum and dad by pouncing on their feet!
Both boys are very settled in a home environment and enjoy playing inside and out. They love to jump on each other and chase each other up and down the stairs. Bruce is very motherly to his little brother and will often sit and clear Oscar’s face which Oscar doesn’t mind at all.
Last weeks snow proved a massive hit with both cats who enjoyed skidding on the icy slush and lying in the snow.
Our two beautiful boys are now having the time of their lives in a home where they are cared for and loved.
Nick, Sylvia and Verity Odd
How Stan Found Ollie
As reported in the last newsletter, it has been a busy year. I had been very lucky and found good homes relatively quickly, until our difficult May – Sept period.
Chewy was returned as his new owner’s resident cat would not accept him. He was there for 8 weeks & eventually retaliated. I agreed they had done every thing they could. Ollie was returned as apparently he kept attacking the dog next door!! Both cats were lovely & placid up to a point.
Life went on as usual in the cattery. Chewy & Ollie would tease each other through the central panel. Both would put their paws under the bottom bar to get each other’s attention. As the months went by I would let them meet whilst being fed & cleaned. They would play fight until being split up. I was never sure if they meant it, but there were no claws or growling.
Eventually after 5 long months a call came to view Chewy (he was a beautiful black longhaired cat) The couple & children had had a grumpy old rescued cat that sadly died. On hearing & seeing how Chewy & Ollie had made friends they decided to adopt them both.
After a house check & a long talk, I decided to give it a try & see if they got on in a home situation. I was a bit concerned, not being sure if their play fighting would turn into something more serious.
I needn’t have worried. They still have a daily play fight. Chewy loves to lie in wait at the top of the stairs for Ollie to appear. They soon split up when bored with that game. Chewy to his favourite bush in the garden or settee & Ollie to his favourite bed or other past time his food bowl.
Chewy was renamed Stan & so that is how they became a real proper double act.
Luisa Fosterer
A Happy Ending
We got a desperate call from a man who had had to move home for financial reasons. He was homeless & left the cats temporarily with a friend. On visiting them they were depressed & under weight. He felt they needed a more stable home He cried when he left them.
They were 3-year-old brothers & he had had them from kittens. Ant had had a car accident @ 18m old & his back legs were paralysed. Despite his disability he was litter trained & led as near a normal life as possible. He was the more outgoing & loved to put his paws around your neck & nuzzle your nose & purr loudly. Ant settled in well, but Dec took a few weeks. Eventually they put on weight & settled.
It is not always easy to find a good home for a single cat, a pair more difficult, never mind a disabled cat. Ant was not the prettiest sight with his rigid back legs. My 13 yr old cried when he first saw him.
I had grown increasingly fond of Ant; he was so easy to love. I was determined to find them a good home together. Three weeks after they came in, a lovely lady saw Ant on the Internet & fell for him. Her mother had had a disability from birth & disability did not faze her. She had moved to a flat & was lonely. They have settled well. Ant had so much love to give & it is wonderful that someone could see past his disability.
Luisa Fosterer
Millie
My name is Millie and I was left with CAS for the second time when I was 9. My first family had moved abroad and my second family had unfortunately suffered a marriage breakdown. I was sure I'd become one of the Golden Oldies, because I only have 3 teeth, a cataract over one eye and I hate other cats. And I'm sick a lot too. I waited patiently in my chalet with my lovely foster mum - I was used to being an indoor cat, so it didn't bother me too much. Then this couple came to see me and they seemed to like me. I put on my best purr and let them stroke me. They went away again, so I resigned myself to life in my chalet. BUT a few days later, they collected me and took me to their flat. Well, I had a good sniff around, purred a lot because the humans seemed to like it and met my two new human sisters. I may hate other cats but I tolerate humans because they feed me!
Anyway, we settled down to life together. I didn't talk to my new humans for 6 months because I was still a bit unsure of myself. I was sick a lot too but they just said 'Poor Millie' and cleared it up. My mum and sisters laughed a lot when I was sick in my dad's trainers and said 'Go Millie, go Millie!' Very odd, these human creatures but I put up with their funny ways! I went to the vet and now have a special diet which means I'm not sick quite as much as I used to be. I started talking a little bit when I first saw the humans in the day - just a quiet little 'maaa'. They seemed to like it and I got extra cuddles and strokes, so I thought it might be worth chatting a bit more.
Then, about 15 months after I moved into my flat (MY flat, I just let the humans lodge with me!), I got quite a scare. They had everything packed up and all the rooms were being emptied out. Oh no, not moving! I'm usually very bold and sleep wherever I want to but that day, I tried to hide because I was scared I'd be going back to my friends at CAS again, who are lovely but it's not the same as having your own home. Anyway, the flat emptied and my mum and dad put me into the cat carrier - I was so unhappy. Then, they took me to a house. With an upstairs! And I had my bed and my special blanket put down on the floor. Did this mean I was staying with my humans? Yes!!! This house has so many more rooms to sleep in. There's even another funny room on the back which has this green stuff called grass and flying things that my humans call birds! I go out every day for a sniff round but I soon come scuttling back inside, except in the hot weather, when I lie down on the grass and sleep.
I've been in my house for 6 months now and I love it. I'm really howing my humans my true attitude because I'm confident that I'm here for good now. I act as an alarm cat in the mornings to get them up to feed me, I poke them in the evenings if I think I should be getting more attention (or food!) and I've learnt to shout too! I talk all the time now and they're actually quite well trained to doing my will at all times. I'm 11 now, so I eat and sleep a lot. I choose whose bed I'm sleeping on and the humans have to fit in with my plans. I've shown them that cats are superior and they seem to have accepted it quite well!
I'm so grateful to CAS for looking after me in my times of need and now, after 2 years of being with these humans, I'm very happy in my house, with its blankets and cat luxuries.
Millie, Sutton