Appeal to find forever home for Tain's 'most unwanted' cat after record-breaking six months in care
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A cat protection charity in Easter Ross is making an fresh plea to find a new home for its most unwanted cat – after six months of fruitless appeals.
11-year-old Fluffy came into the care of Tain & District Cats Protection some 250 days ago, after she was received from an elderly lady in April.
The black and white short-haired puss has since smashed all records for the length of time the branch has had a cat in its care – because nobody has offered to take her home.
When she came into care, Fluffy was classed as "extremely overweight", to such an extent that she could hardly walk and had become content to just sit around.
The charity say that the cat's weight has now resulted in arthritis.
But a special diet has seen Fluffy begin to turn the corner on her sedentary lifestyle – having shed a total of 600 grams (1 lb 5 ounces).
Tain & District Cats Protection branch manager Jean Jardine said: "She wasn't moving. Her body had stiffened up as she had been sitting around for so long because she is so heavy. If you see a fat dog or fat cat, they do struggle to get up, so they tend to just sit down, not wanting to move.
"I would try to tempt her out with some food, and you could see that she wanted to come out – but she would just put her paws out, as if to say 'I'm not going to move, I can't be bothered!'
"She is now being treated for arthritis, and is getting treatment for that. She is to receive three doses of injections from the vet which will help, but most importantly, she has lost 600 grams and that is really helping and will help with her mobility.
"I know that her fosterer has been taking the cat out to move about and stay mobile also, and seems to be doing okay. In the last couple of weeks she's also managed to jump up on something. It looks like even this slight weight loss has helped."
Mrs Jardine added: "We have had her advertised on Facebook and our website but she just does not seem to be appealing to anyone, sadly.
"People tend to think because a cat is of a certain age, that its too old and they may not want to adopt. But I've taken in two cats at the age of 17, and they've gone on to live to the age of 22 and a half. Cats can have long health lives, and most do if they are looked after.
"She has the most beautiful face. She absolutely loves attention, always wants her fosterer to be with her and loves being fussed over. She loves getting her hair brushed all over, even her tummy. She loves to be outside and would sit on the deck all day as long as she has access to indoors if the weather turns.
"She seems content with her lot at the moment but we would love to find her a new, quiet, loving home with no other animals and access to a secure garden with someone who just wants a super friendly companion.
"Fluffy is a lovely, bonny-looking, healthy cat and deserves a forever home. Hopefully there is someone out there prepared to give her that."
If you feel you could give Fluffy her wish for a new home, contact the Tain branch via email on enquiries@tain.cats.org.uk.
