Last updated: 22 Jul, 2019
Published on: 19 Dec, 2016
Mika has found somebody to love him, bung jaw, tatty ears, drooping eyes, puffy cheeks, FIV+ and all!
With tatty ears, drooping eyes and a bung jaw, it was clear this gentle giant had been around the traps. He got the boost he desperately needed when he featured in PetRescue’s Adoptables campaign, and won the heart of an adopter who’s now smitten with her new adopted family member.
Mika came into foster care with a broken jaw and was unable to eat. The amazing team at Cheltenham Cat Rescue arranged the vet treatment he needed and gave this sweet boy the time he needed to heal, in the comfort and safety of a foster home.
Foster carer Natasha Reus said Mika was one of the most adaptable and gentle cats she’d ever cared for. And that’s saying a lot, because Natasha has fostered a lot of cats!
Mika had been waiting patiently for his new home, but nine months had ticked by without any interest. It’s not easy being an older cat competing with the cute and fluffy younger kittens, and to throw in a further challenge, Mika was FIV+.
The PetRescue team thought Mika was the perfect candidate to receive some pampurring and a profile makeover, as part of our Adoptables campaign to help long-term and special needs pets find their new families.
Mika’s foster carer Natasha organised a professional photo shoot, thanks to Bec at Snapping Turtle Studios. PetRescue’s writers gave Mika’s profile a makeover, and featured him in a paid Facebook ad to help boost this sweet older boy’s chances of finding love.
And the team effort worked a treat. Mika quickly caught the eye of Claire McParland, and within days he was snuggled up, safe and loved, in his new home.
Claire lives in an apartment in Melbourne, and leads a busy social and work life. Mika has fitted in seamlessly with her lifestyle - happy to chill out on his own while Claire is at work or out socialising, but even more happy to snuggle up with Claire during her downtime binge-watching a TV series after a big night out.
Claire had been missing her cat Clancy, who had been put to sleep earlier in the year.
“Initially I didn't have any interest in having another pet. I still missed Clancy and I liked having no responsibility. But when I saw Mika's little face on Facebook, something changed,” Claire said.
“I kept thinking about him and what a rough start he’d had in life. Clancy was a rescue cat and I knew any future pets would also be a rescue. There are so many beautiful animals that need a good home. We can't save them all, but giving just one a wonderful life is so important.
“Mika popped up on my Facebook newsfeed and I went to the PetRescue website from there. It was instant love! And after reading his profile, I knew he was the perfect cat for me. Affectionate, easily adaptable and likes eating and sleeping, perfect!”
Claire contacted the rescue group to arrange a meet and greet with the friendly feline.
“He was as beautiful as his pictures and I made the decision right there and then that I wanted to adopt him,” Claire said.
“He's definitely had a rough trot. You can tell by looking at him. But that just makes me want to give him the best home for the rest of his life.
“When he arrived he went under my bed, so I left him there to come out in his own time. It didn't take long - during the night he came out and jumped on my bed and cuddled into me. He's been there ever since!”
Claire said Mika has adjusted to his new home easily.
“The other day, the sun was out and he was laying on the window sill enjoying the view and sunning himself. He looked so at home, and I loved it!,” she said.
“It's lovely to come home to him and to have him cuddle up with me at night. He is such a beautiful boy and I'm so lucky he's mine to spoil.”
Giving a cat like Mika a second chance is one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do. Start your search for love here.
Find out more about caring for FIV+ cats (and why a diagnosis is not even a big deal!)