Lovey-Dovey Kittens Beat the Odds to Find Furever Home
A few weeks ago, Catster mom Jeanette and I were talking about wanting to adopt a special needs cat the next time we bring a new cat into the family. These are cats that have a hard time being placed in furever homes, and sometimes you’re saving them from certain euthanasia by giving them a chance.
Here’s a recent “special needs” success story from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary:
Change of plans
Story by David Dickson
Photo by Sarah AuseWhen Roger Maas and his partner Rich were looking for a new cat at Best Friends, they thought they knew what they wanted: an older cat. You see, their 20-year-old Siamese had just passed on. They certainly knew the ins and outs of older cats. Little did they know who would end up stealing their hearts instead — a couple of fluffy kittens less than 6 months old!
Not just any kittens, either. These two kittens are FIV positive and came to Best Friends on trade from a rescue in Texas. Rich and Roger admit they didn’t know much about FIV cats before considering the adoption. They’d heard about FIV, of course, but didn’t know enough to make an informed decision.
It all started when they noticed Pixie Dust the kitten on the Best Friends website before making the trip up from Mesa, Arizona. That adorable little face was all it took to start swaying their focus away from the older cats. But first, the homework!
After speaking with their vet and reading up on the subject, they came to realize something. They realized FIV isn’t as big a deal as they had feared. FIV cats, they learned, can still live long and healthy lives. Anybody who doubts that point can swing by Best Friends and meet plenty of healthy, happy senior FIV cats who could probably still give you a run for your money! One other detail also helped sway their decision. They knew that FIV cats have a hard time finding homes. Here was a chance to help.
So they swung up to Best Friends and spent a little time with Pixie Dust and her brother Half Pint. That’s all it took to seal the deal. They wanted to adopt.
Back home, the two kittens (the only cats in the house) have been settling in perfectly. They’re still a teeny bit skittish taking in the new terrain — ceiling fans in particular make them scurry by in a hurry — but they are affectionate as can be. If Roger or Rich lie down on the floor, Pixie Dust and Half Pint hurry over and start rubbing up against their whole bodies, head to feet. Can’t beat a full body massage!
Goes to show that sometimes what you find isn’t always what you started out looking for, but no matter how you view things, this was a happy ending meant to be. Congrats!
——— Avoid the misconceptions and learn more about FIV. Then check out some of the other adoptable cats with FIV living at the sanctuary.
Whether you adopt a senior cat, a blind cat, an FIV cat, or a cat with other special needs, you’re giving that cat a second chance at a happy life.
[LINK: BestFriends.org]
People like Roger and Rich will have a special place in heaven as far as Momma and I are concerned.
Awwww! Concats to Half Pint and Pixie Dust on getting a great furever home!
That is so sweet ! It’s great Half Pint and Pixie have a home.
Thats great. FIV isn’t a death sentence thanks to people like Roger and Rich and of course Best Friends. I’m glad these cats got a second chance with a nice family!!!
That is sooooo sweet and special to hear!!!! My husband and I adopted two kittens from the animal control (female 5 months old and male 3 months old) over a year ago and I think they picked us out! Hubby and I were looking for an adult cat, thinking they would be put to sleep before kittens and we were told that is not necessarily so….so we let the kittens pick us out. I love black cats so the selection was an easy limit for us. We looked at each black (black and white) cat and it was so easy for them to choose us!!! Next step coming home with the babies as we have one other cat and two germ shep dogs. It did not take long and they all get along sooooo well. The female when she is tired loves to come around be loved all up and down and she wants to rub on us, too. This is how we know she is tired and ready for one of her many naps.
Congrats to Roger and Rich and welcome the new addition to their home.
I love to hear stories like this one. You don’t hear them often enough.
This is a wonderful story. We are firm believers that kitties pick their humans. These are very special guys indeed if these special kitties picked them!!
Purrs,
Chai & Mama J
Way to go Roger and Rich! 5 paws up. I agree with Chai. We kitties do pick our humans. Humans need to give us more credit. I love my humans.
How Lucky those two kittens were to find this loving home. We had an FIV+ brother in the family who came to live with us when he was about 6 yrs old, and lived healthily until he was almost 21!
Please do not be afraid to adopt an FIV+ cat because they may never develop Feline Aids, and can live a totally normal long life.
Purrs, Hannah & momma Teri