I saw the special campaign on the RSPCA website to re-home two cats injured in road accidents only a couple of days after my parents lost a cat to the road. I was originally looking for kittens but it seemed like fate that we would be able to help a cat that had been luckier than theirs.
Stumpy and Pongo (re-named Darwin and Pepe) were both amputees. Darwin had lost his tail after been chased into the road by a gang of kids and one of Pepe's hind legs had to removed after being found on the side of the road with terrible injuries.
My fiance and I drove up to the cattery where they were being held with the idea of just getting one. But when we met them we knew that we couldn't leave either of them. Pepe looked so sad (he was depressed) and despite the awful ordeal that Darwin had been through he was so friendly and obviously still had so much trust in people.
However it soon became clear that Pepe would not be happy being housed with another cat so my best friend decided to re-home him instead (and a good job too, he still sits at the window hissing at cats outside!!).
The change in both cats was wonderful to see. Pepe went from being a depressed cat suffering from fits because of his trauma to being a "complete cat", running (surprisingly fast!), climbing trees, chasing birds, jumping fences and fighting his territory. Also since settling into his new home he has not had another fit.
Darwin was the most soft and loving cat, who even made friends with our hamster. He was happiest just to be in our company and maybe to sit in the garden. Unfortunately we only had him for 3 months as he died suddenly of a saddle thrombosis two weeks before our wedding.
Although we only had him for a short time we know that he was happy and contented and that we had been able to provide him with a safe and loving home for that time.
I would encourage people not to be put off by amputee cats. Pepe has shown that they adapt quickly to their new bodies and live full catty lives and Darwin showed how much love and trust they can still give despite being badly treated in the past.
And then...
We actually have a new cat now, Dillon from the RSPCA Rickmansworth branch (see his photo on the left).
He had been at the branch for 6 months and had been moved to a fosterer - who insisted he was a lovely lap cat. I know why he kept on being passed up because he literally climbed the walls of the cage when we saw him because he had been brought over from the foster carer for us to see him.
We were all ready to go for another cat who was v friendly but as we were about to sign the papers I looked over and saw these big scared eyes looking through the window of the cage and wailed at Gareth "I just cant leave him here!!!" I am a sucker for a hard luck case!!!
I knew that the really friendly cat would find a home quickly (which he did a month later) but just could not see anyone taking a chance on such a scared cat.
Well although the first week was pretty horrid as he wedged himself at the back of the airing cupboard and refused to come out, he is now the most darling cat. How like Darwin, he just loves to be around us. In fact he follows us to which ever room we are in. His favorite place is on my potting bench in the greenhouse - or on Gareth's chest having a head scratch.
Bless him he is desperate to be friends with the female cat next door but she is really not interested and keeps chasing him off!
A wonderful tale showing just how kind and wonderful people can really be. Sincere thanks to Sally and Gareth for taking on the responsibility of these three little characters and for sharing such an amazing story with us. We wish you all many years of happiness together...
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