First of all, I’d like to apologise for the lack of plant-related content in this latest Urban Jungle Bloggers post! The challenge set by hosts Igor and Judith this month was to style plants and ‘jungle animals’ (either pets, or animal-themed art), but I’d like to use it as an excuse to talk about something which is very close to my heart: adopting rescue animals.
The handsome little chap in this photo is my Bengal cat, Kanga – who, as you can see, likes to ‘help’ care for my plants (he also made a cameo appearance in last month’s Urban Jungle Bloggers post). Kanga is a rescue cat and he had a horrible start in life. He was owned by someone who didn’t have a clue how to look after him, and he was kept outside and fed scraps rather than a proper diet. He was even branded a ‘monster’ because he’s rather vocal (like many pedigree cats, he likes to announce his presence). In the end he was dumped on the doorstep of Bristol & Wales Cat Rescue, and that’s how I got to know him.
I volunteer as a home-checker for this fantastic charity, which fosters and rehomes more than 500 abandoned cats and kittens in my home city every year. Kanga arrived shortly after the death of our previous, much-loved cat, and we went round to meet him one snowy February evening. As soon as I saw him I knew he was destined to be ‘our’ cat – I remember picking him up, cutting off the tight rubber collar which his previous owner had left around his neck, and watching him visibly relax for quite possibly the first time in ages.
It took a while for Kanga to settle in and get used to having a stable home, but seven years after he first came to us he’s a very content character who loves pottering around the garden, surveying the world from the upstairs window, cuddling up under the duvet at night, and generally eating and snoozing as much as possible. He’s getting on a bit now and has a few health problems, but he’s still enjoying life and making up for lost time.
I’d like to encourage anyone who’s thinking about getting a pet to consider adopting a rescue animal. It’s such a rewarding thing to do – you’ll transform a life, and gain a wonderful companion in the process. And there are so many cats (and dogs, if you prefer) in need of a home – abandoned kittens, strays who’ve been brought in from the cold, senior ‘kitizens’ looking for somewhere to retire….
I promise I’ll return to talking about plants in next month’s Urban Jungle Bloggers challenge, but in the meantime if you’d like to find out more about Bristol & Wales Cat Rescue then please do visit their website, or read this interview with founder Margaret which I posted last year.
Urban Jungle Bloggers is a monthly series run by Igor of Happy Interior Blog and Judith of JOELIX.com, with the aim of encouraging people to use more greenery in their homes. To find out more, head over to the website or search #urbanjunglebloggers on Twitter and Instagram.
Photo by Abi Dare
A lovely post, Abi. While Freds wasn’t a rescue, if I were ever to get another cat I would go for rescue. I don’t know how you don’t bring them all home with you, it’s kind of why I’ve never volunteered myself. 😉 Leanne x
Thanks Leanne! It’s tricky, I have to admit…! xx
Awww I totally agree with you Abi. We got our cat at the RSPCA (I guess the Australian version of this). Unfortunately they have to put down so many cats each year that they simply can’t keep. I felt so sad going through the room with all of these lovely creatures who were literally on death row. He’s such an important member of the family and the kids adore him. Mel x
Thanks for your comment Mel – I love the fact your cat is part of the family. Luckily the charity I volunteer for would never put a healthy cat to sleep, but I know finding enough ‘beds’ for all the cats that come in is a constant logistical nightmare. I hope Judith & Igor don’t mind me going so completely off topic, but I really wanted to talk about it xx
Such a sweetie! And you’re so right. We didn’t get our current cats from shelters (our previous cats were rescues from a farm) but Damien was (and is) too small for a male and we were asked if we wanted to take care of him (yes please). Pingping has a little white spot where it shouldn’t be (seriously) and Minky has a little protruding bone (which doesn’t have any effect on her health). We weren’t looking for show cats anyway. Our little perfect imperfect 😉 family, we’re very happy together. xx
Oh your cats sound wonderful! Such characters, and as you say, perfectly imperfect! x
Cute cat !
Thanks Elena!
Totally endorse this post, Abi. Our two cats, Starsky and Hutch were rescue cats and they are our family – and have been now for 13 years! They’re also getting on a bit but we’re so glad we have them! Always good to see Kanga on the blog too. Such a cutie!
Thanks Jill – Kanga will be blushing beneath his fur! I love the sound of Starsky and Hutch…! x