The RSPCA has issued a special appeal to find a foster home for two nervous cats who came into the charity’s care 14 months ago.
Samson is an 11-year-old ginger male cat and his ‘girlfriend’ Koda is a 12-year-old female tortoiseshell. They were rescued together after they were found living as strays in very poor condition in September last year.
Kind locals had been feeding them in their garden for a few years but became concerned that they needed veterinary attention due to injuries.
Now the charity is looking for a special foster home for these cats due to their ongoing medical needs – these expenses will be covered by RSPCA Southridge Animal Centre in Hertfordshire, where the pair have been cared for.
Fosterers care for animals temporarily in their own home, while supported by the RSPCA. The charity recently launched a recruitment drive for new fosterers, after revealing it is spending £26,000 per week on private boarding establishments as its centres are full to bursting.
Anna White, manager at RSPCA Southridge, said: “Samson and Koda are looking for a special home together. They will need a patient owner who has experience of dealing with fearful felines and timid moggies.
“They have had a very chequered past which sadly has made them wary of people and at times difficult to handle so it is essential that their new owner has experience with nervous cats.
“Originally Koda and Samsom were living on the streets. We understand that Koda did have an owner at one point and she had several litters until one day the owner moved away and left her behind. She then developed a very close bond with another homeless cat, Samson, and together they lived life day by day until they were eventually caught and finally given the medical care they both desperately needed.”
Koda has kidney issues and is now on medication and Samson has FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) which means he now has to live indoors so as not to spread the disease.
Anna added: “These older cats are incredibly bonded so we do not feel it is fair to separate them at this stage in life, so although Koda does not have FIV, we feel that it would be better for their welfare to keep them together.
“Koda and Samson are looking for a kind and patient owner who will allow them time to settle into a new home environment. They will need their own space with a good setup with lots of enrichment and hiding spots to allow them to feel secure and safe in the home. They may take time to settle in, and you may not get a lap cat at the end of it, but that makes their transition so much more worth it.
“Christmas is such a busy time of year for us and we’d love to see these special cats in a loving home before then. If you believe that animals deserve love and care this Christmas, please take action now. Together, we can rescue suffering animals who are bearing the brunt of this terrible crisis – and give them the chance of a better future. Please don’t let animals pay the price of the cost-of-living crisis this Christmas.”
If you think you can offer Samson and Koda a loving foster home, please contact RSPCA Southridge Animal Centre in Potters Bar on [email protected] 0300 123 0704
