Anya

 This week’s blog is brought to you by our Kitty Comforter Coordinator, Anne Marchetti – thank you, Anne!

Anya  (KN)

I've always felt a little excited when a new cat arrives at the Sanctuary bearing the name of a friend or relative I know. Given that a large number of cats coming to the Sanctuary are usually feral or unsocialized, however, rarely does the cat's personality match that of the human. 

Anya spread  (AM)

My given name is very plain (“Anne”) and I had little hope a cat would ever bear my name. I am of Ukrainian descent and growing up my family would often call me “Anushka” (my mother told me it meant “little Anne” but Google tells me otherwise) or “Anya”. So when a feral cat named Anya arrived in late 2022 with her sisters, Bagheera and Gwen, I was thrilled and looked forward to befriending her. The feeling, however, was not mutual and despite my best efforts Anya spurned my advances and wanted nothing to do with me. This relationship continued until she was eventually released into Pen #7 which is a small pen of mainly feral cats, most of whom still need regular medical attention.  Her sisters have blossomed; Bagheera was adopted by former RAPS volunteer Mel (along with Scooter and Owen), and there's now a human baby sister to purr to.  Gwen has not given up grumping at other cats, but is doing really well in her contacts with people, flirting with visitors at the weekend.

Early suspicion: stay out of my space!  (KN)

Initially, Anya was very unhappy in her new location; she aggressively rejected all human contact, shunned feline companionship and sandwiched herself in a tight carpeted cat enclosure. She's effectively tail-less, but we don't think she actually suffers from Manx syndrome; however, not being one to indulge in self-care, her preferred hiding place very quickly became filthy and smelly, as did she. Her anxiety was obvious to all so she was given a short course of anti-anxiety meds and since her cat enclosure was now a health hazard, it was removed and destroyed. She took up residence in another outdoor cat bed where she and her bedding were more easily accessible for cleaning. 

The Anya rump (AM)

I visited her regularly, much to her chagrin, but she tolerated me since I always arrived bearing her favourite creamy tube treats. When working with cats like Anya, it's always “two steps forward, one step back”, and that's if you're lucky. I jokingly told the other Kitty Comforters that Anya must have been a nurse in a previous life because every time she lashed out at me with her razor-sharp claws, she managed to find a vein (and I would bleed and bleed...). Over time and with regular visits from Kitty Comforters who patiently worked with her, she eventually learned to trust humans. 

Any treats for me?  (AM)

She is a completely different cat now, although she still looks like a tubby little black bear with her thick fur and nub of a tail. I look forward to our weekly visits and I think she does too - when she hears my voice in the courtyard, she comes up to the locked gate and waits for me to enter. She prances on the spot and purrs when she's happy and enjoys lots of petting. 

A more confident outlook on the world.  (KN)

I overhear many people say that she's sweet (that certainly would not have been the word to describe her even a year ago!). It warms my heart when I see her having friendly interactions with other volunteers, no more fear and anxiety for her. And now I can say I'm friends with a cat who bears my (nick)name. I adore her, but if I'm honest, I'd love her no matter what she was called.

Blog by Anne Marchetti

Photos by Anne Marchetti and Karen Nicholson