Charity's sadness as Tain cat in search of 'forever home' dies
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Fluffy – the cat at the centre of a Ross-shire Journal appeal to find its "forever home" after 250 days in care – has died at the age of 11.
Jean Jardine, manager of Tain and District Cat Protection, confirmed the "very sad" news that Fluffy had to be put to sleep last Friday.
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The black and white short-haired cat had broken all records for the length of time the branch had kept a cat in its care.
Classed as "extremely overweight", Fluffy had developed arthritis and had been put on a special diet which had resulted in her shedding a total of 600 grams (1 lb 5 ounces).
But after a joint consultation with vets at Johnston & Farrell and the cat's foster carer, Barbara Grace, it was concluded that Fluffy had very little quality of life and it was time "to let her go".
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Mrs Jardine said: "The vets thought that the pain on her spine had gotten worse and felt her quality of life was poor, and the painkilling injections didn't really seem to be helping.
"Despite medication, Fluffy's mobility didn't seem to be getting better after all this time.
"Barbara (Grace) had looked after Fluffy since she was admitted. She had gotten very fond of her too, but as she has a cat and a dog herself, her home wouldn't have suited Fluffy. She was with Fluffy when she put to sleep.
"I think as fosterers we have all had to go through this, and it is very difficult as you always feel you've failed or should have perhaps waited. We are always guided by the vet."
Mrs Jardine said that she had had two offers of a home, both from ladies who lived on their own, which she says would have made "ideal" homes for Fluffy.
She added: "We did phone them and tell them about Fluffy. They were disappointed, but have asked us to let them know if a cat, which we think might suit, comes into our care."
