Solstice

Solstice  (BC)

The SingleWide is the building most likely to become a home to older cats who have been surrendered to our care for various reasons – an owner passed or with health issues, a cat with behavioural or health problems...  It’s an environment particularly suited to an animal who has been used to a loving home where they have been kept indoors – though cranky-pants like BeeBoo and Shadow have their own reasons for making it their home.

The necessary cage-stay  (KH)

Solstice came to us early this year  and was settled in one of the large cages to decompress. There are very few cats who actually enjoy the caging period, necessary as it may be; we all know that unhappy cats are likely to go and hide away, but they like to choose just where to hide, and those options are limited in a cage. We try, when preparing it for a new inhabitant, to give them a number of possibilities on different levels; Solstice was obviously a little uncomfortable physically and chose the easiest option, behind the drape on the main shelf. And there she stayed.

Initial suspicions  (BC)

When I first encountered Solstice, she immediately reminded me of Pandora, a SingleWide predecessor who arrived at the age of 18 with multiple physical problems and serious Cattitude. Solstice wasn’t quite as growly, but emanated a clear “Leave me alone!” message. She was matted and uncomfortable. But in fact she was less than 7 years old when she came to us. Apparently her owner had left town without her, and the family member who took on her care couldn’t cope with the angry, aggressive cat who was mourning the changes in her life.

Necessary grooming included very poofy feet!  (KH)

The Kitty Comforters stepped up. Regular visits, initially resented by Solstice, became more interesting to her. Care from the med staff left her feeling better and more receptive to human attention. Her UTIs and occasional peeing became less frequent as she became calmer – in fact, it’s likely that they were stress-induced when her owner left.  A little grooming and some tasty treats improved her mood. By the time she was released, she’d decided that these humans were OK – though  the other cats, perhaps not so much.

Making herself at home  (BC)

In the last six months, Solstice has become a more active member of the SW population. From hiding away, she now claims her comfy spaces right in the open; she loves attention and lap-time, and is ready to defend her territory to cats like Shadow, who think they have a right to the couch!  She explores everywhere, enjoying mountaineering on the cage-tops and snoozing on a shelf.  

Cage-top queen of all she surveys  (BC)

Visitors often ask how I know so many of the cats – and mostly it’s because of writing this blog, and because I work in most areas of the Sanctuary. But if I really want detail on a cat, there is usually at least one volunteer in any specific area who spends significant time outside scooping/cleaning/feeding. In the SingleWide, I know I can always turn to Kim for background and more photos.

No longer confined - so now she likes her cage!  (KH)

Kim says:
I love Solstice so much, and I hope it’s mutual.  I think she had a spicy tag on her in the beginning, but I found she was really sweet from the start as long as you took a soft approach. She loves head pets. She has the softest fur that is prone to tangles, but isn’t a fan of brushing. She was mad at me for two weeks after I tried brushing her. She’s become really comfortable exploring since Bella took over her cage. Every Monday when I arrive, I find her in a new napping spot. Sometimes, she climbs on my chest/shoulders and wraps herself around me — I joke that she’s trying to become a scarf.

No longer the angry girl who came to us...  (KH)

I’m with you, Kim – she’s a really sweet girl. She’s not officially on the adoptable list yet, but she might do very well with someone that she knows and trusts.

Blog by Brigid Coult, with Kim Howe

Photos: Brigid Coult, Kim Howe