Last updated: 22 Jul, 2019
Published on: 28 Mar, 2018
Companionship in the form of a calio kitty
After thinking about cat adoption for a while, an email appeared in Kate’s inbox which confirmed her thoughts - it was time to welcome a new kitty in to her life.
A true pet lover, 68-year-old Kate had recently lost her calico cat at the age of 12, and the four months following her loss meant that her house was a lot quieter without her feline friend. Living on her own on the NSW north coast, Kate is surrounded by luscious bushland and nature, and the time had now to welcome a needy rescue pet in to her home and heart.
After thinking about cat adoption for a while, an email appeared in Kate’s inbox which confirmed her thoughts. The email introduced PetRescue’s Shy Cats and Senior Citizen’s program and Kate saw this as a great opportunity to provide a home to a rescue cat - and if possible, a calico one in remembrance of her previous kitty “I was looking for companionship, someone to talk to regularly” said Kate.
Kate decided to reply to the email she had received from PetRescue and was put in contact with Caren from the Shy Cats helpline. After being emailed a selection of shy cats in her area, Kate was drawn to a kitty named Sasha. With a link to her PetRescue profile and contact details for the rescue group, DCH Animal Adoptions, Kate got in touch with Sasha’s foster carer, Jenny, and plans were put in to motion for the three of them to meet.
In order to make the meet and greet as comfortable as possible for all involved, Jenny took Sasha to Kate’s house, and there at Kate’s front door was a beautiful calico kitty wrapped up in her basket. “At first, Sasha just sat in the basket looking suspicious” Kate said. “Before Jenny left, she showed me how affectionate Sasha was with her” recalled Kate. This gave Kate hope that one day soon shy cat Sasha would feel this comfortable with her.
When Jenny left Kate’s house that day, Sasha ran downstairs and hid behind the sofa. “I felt unsure and didn’t think adopting Sasha was going to be successful” said Kate. “Sasha stayed behind the sofa for 24 hours and then moved behind a cupboard. I had food and water for her but she didn’t seem to touch it.” But Kate was patient and her persistence paid off. After 3 days, she found Sasha upstairs sitting in her previous cat’s basket. A bit of quiet time was all Sasha needed to get settled in to her new environment. After this, Sasha slowly began to venture around the house, seeking out new places to make herself comfortable.
Jenny and the team from DCH Animal Adoptions were a big help to Kate throughout the adoption process and after, providing advice when Sasha decided that she didn’t like her litter tray anymore! A change to the type of litter and slight relocation of the litter tray, and all was well again.
“Sasha has settled remarkably well” Kate recently told us. “She is not hiding anymore and loves lots of places.” Sasha is also starting to venture outside when Kate goes out to do some gardening or to feed the birds on the verandah. She says that Sasha loves her son when he visits and follows him around the house everywhere he goes.
Kate loves that Sasha tries her very best to be good and to fit in. She says she has a sweet nature, listens intently and always tries to do the right. She also likes that Sasha is 5 years old and is a bit more mature, and can definitely tell that Sasha has previously been very well cared for by her foster carer, Jenny.
“Sasha likes to sleep in a particular pot plant which she is actually not allowed in, and she will always look at it when she’s ready to go sleep” laughs Kate. “She also lifts up her front paws like a horse when kneading and wanting attention”. Kate says that Sasha is a clutz, knocking things over all the time, but this just adds to her personality.
At first Kate wondered if it was too soon to adopt after her previous cat had only passed, but now that Sasha is so settled and affectionate, Kate feels very positive about her decision to adopt a shy cat. “My daily life has changed for the better as Sasha is good company” Kate says. “She is affectionate, caring and adventurous. She meows, talking to me and this makes me feel good”.
We need your help spreading the word about PetRescue’s Shy Cats and Senior Citizens program, so that more people like Lily can connect with cats in need, like Angie!
Do you know a senior citizen with a quiet home and lots of love to give?
Print this flyer and pop it up at your local shops, library, senior citizens centre, vet clinic or in your neighbours’ letterbox. Help connect shy cats with senior citizens - they make super companions!
Find out more about PetRescue’s Shy Cats and Senior Citizens program.