Two neglected and skinny cats who were rescued by the RSPCA after they were found living in poor conditions are now loving life in a new home together.
Both Anakin and Ahsoka were clearly underweight and had other health issues when they were found huddled together on top of a radiator of a property in Hull, East Yorkshire, after the animal welfare charity responded to a report from a concerned member of the public.
RSPCA Inspector Natalie Hill was shocked when visited their home and saw the condition of the pets, especially Anakin, a male black and white cat, who was extremely underweight and almost completely bald from the shoulder area and down his back.
His owner said she had not taken him to a vet about his condition and, during Natalie’s visit in March last year, Anakin made no attempts to leave the radiator where he was perched as he was so lacking in energy. A second cat next to him, called Ahsoka, was also in a lean body condition.
The owner allowed the inspector to take Anakin for emergency veterinary treatment and he was found to be extremely malnourished, weighing just 2.2kg – and was given a body score condition of 2/5. He was found to be in shock, shivering with a core temperature of 36.9 C.
He was suffering from fur loss and his coat was also very thin and in poor condition.
The veterinary staff immediately warmed him and gave him intravenous fluids and he was treated for fleas and internal parasites.
He was hospitalised and remained on intravenous fluids before being discharged two days later and had to follow a strict feeding plan to help him gain weight.
On a follow-up visit to the cats’ owner, Natalie discovered the woman had failed to take Ahsoka, a grey and white cat, to a vet as instructed and the pet had developed sickness and diarrhoea.
Natalie rushed her for treatment and she was found to be underweight with a body condition score of 3/9. She had fur loss and scabbing from fleas and was treated for diarrhoea and a worm burden and again, was given a strict diet to follow to slowly increase her weight.
Once both Anakin and Ahsoka were stabilised they were taken into the care of the RSPCA Bridlington, Driffield and District Cattery where they were looked after by the cattery staff.
Animal Care Assistant India Ellis said: “The moment staff saw Anakin we were struck with how malnourished and sad he was. At first, he understandably didn’t trust us and hid away from us, often he was found hiding in his tunnel, scared and unsure of where he was and what was happening.
“He had to be fed small meals six times a day so he could gain weight slowly, because he was so severely underweight, feeding him big amounts would’ve caused more upset than good. Despite giving him this diet and the love and care he truly deserved, Anakin was in and out of the vets on a regular basis as even the smallest weight drop was a cause for concern.
“However by June he was looking like a different cat and his fur had grown back lovely and he was adopted in October.
“Ahsoka also didn’t trust us at first, and was very shy, often staying in one area of her pen, and always hiding her head if we got close. She looked like she had been through a lot of trauma, which was sad to see. Over time, she did start to trust us and gained weight very well, and soon she grew in confidence and was ready for rehoming in January after almost a year in our care.
“We were delighted when the lovely adopters of Anakin also came to adopt Ahsoka and the inseparable pair who had a close bond were now back together in a healthy, loving and safe home.”
Both pets, aged three, are now enjoying life in a loving home provided by Holly Bowler and partner Adam Coles in Brough, East Yorkshire and the RSPCA are highlighting Anakin and Ahsoka’s story as part of its Join The Christmas Rescue campaign – which aims to raise finds to help other animals in need like these cats.
Holly said: “I have grown up with adopted cats in my family all my life with my parents and we just decided together that it would be a good time to adopt. So we looked on the RSPCA FindAPet and came across Anakin and he just seemed so friendly. We thought he would settle well so we went to meet him and were smitten and he came home with us.
“We told staff we would be interested in adopting his friend Ahsoka too when she was rehabilitated – and due to health issues it took a few more months – but they let us know when she was available and we adopted her too.
“We followed the advice of staff to slow introductions as they had not seen each other for a while and now they are inseparable and love each other’s company.
“They sleep on our bed together but Ahsoka is definitely the boss of the two and they are so friendly and like to cuddle on our laps.
“They have definitely come out of their shells and have settled well – but are still wary of new people and if people are walking around the house they may run off. They have also not forgotten the feeling of hunger and we have to be strict not to put too much food down or they will eat it all and make themselves sick and we have to give them special cat food as Anakin still had intolerances.
“They have brought some real joy into the house and when I come back from work I can see Ahsoka at the window waiting for me and when I walk through the door she greets me and Anakin is never far away. They are so friendly, playful and great company.
“That is why we are supporting the RSPCA’s Join The Christmas Rescue campaign – to help them continue their life-saving work and rescue many animals in need, rehabilitate them and find them new homes.”
Inspector Natalie Hill said: “Both cats were caused pain and discomfort due to inadequate feeding and basic parasite treatment which caused internal issues and weight loss, sickness and diarrhoea. It is so important pet owners act quickly and appropriately when signs of ill health are seen.
“I am so pleased to see that under the dedicated care of the RSPCA Bridlington, Driffield and District Branch these lovely cats thrived in their care and have gone from frightened felines to loving pets who now have a fantastic life with their lovely owners.”
The RSPCA revealed last week how it has seen almost a 25% increase in animal neglect reports during the first half of this year and fear the problem is about to get worse as more pet owners face financial hardship this Christmas.
The charity also announced last month that 20,999 abandonment reports were made to its emergency line in 2023, compared to 16,118 in 2020 – a rise of 30% in just three years.
A surge in pet ownership during the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions and the increasing financial hardships due to soaring living costs have led to the alarming increase according to the RSPCA.
And sadly now, during the winter months, the crisis is expected to worsen as more people tend to struggle with the increase in expenditure around Christmas time with presents to buy and extra food shopping – coupled with an increase in energy bills.
To help the RSPCA rescue more animals visit rspca.org.uk/winterappeal
