Shy cat gives 78 year-old Lily a purrpose

Shy cat gives 78 year-old Lily a purrpose

After the loss of their last dog, Lily, 78, and her husband Bill, 89, made the tough decision that caring for a dog would be beyond them.

“I use a walker, and I had to realise that both myself and my husband would not be able to walk a dog,” Lily said.

Lily’s huge heart and love for animals is well known in her close-knit neighbourhood. She would buy treats to feed her neighbours’ dogs, or look after their pets whenever needed.

With so much love to give, Lily desperately wanted company, a friend - a pet of her own.

Lily and Bill were at their local GP clinic when they saw the flyer for PetRescue’s Shy Cats and Senior Citizens program. A lady sitting next to them said how wonderful it was to rescue a pet, as she had done so in the past. That’s when Lily and Bill decided to give a shy cat a second chance.

“The reduced adoption fee of $25 was a big help, as was knowing the cat could go back to the rescue group if ever needed,” Lily said.

Lily called PetRescue. With no internet, and not able to drive far, Lily needed extra support to find and adopt a cat. So Caren, PetRescue’s Shy Cat coordinator, reached out to the amazing Carolyn at Claws N Paws Rescue.

Carolyn told Lily about a shy mumma cat named Angie who would need a quiet home to call her own once her kittens were weaned.

There was a three-week wait, but Lily wasted no time in getting everything organised for Angie’s arrival - stocking up on tasty food, a litter tray and a cosy bed.

When the big day finally came, Angie ran and hid under the trundle bed, which is common for a shy cat transitioning to a new home. But a little patience went a long way, and after just a few days, Angie was venturing out of the room and around the house, all the while using the litter tray with no problems.

Now, after just a few weeks, Lily says Angie is happy to approach for some affection, and will even come out for pats when visitors are over.

"She curls up on her favourite chair of an evening, then jumps up on my bed after I've finished watching TV and turned out the lights."

Lily has even been able to hand feed Angie some of her sardines on toast! It just goes to show what a little time and trust can do.

“I’ve never had a cat before, only dogs, so I wasn’t sure how I would feel adopting a cat,” Lily said.

“My arthritis makes me feel like there’s nothing I can do. Now Angie has given me company, and a pet to care for, to feed and look after. She gives my life purpose,” Lily said.

We need your help spreading the word about PetRescue’s Shy Cats and Senior Citizens program, so that more people like Lily can connect with cats in need, like Angie!

Do you know a senior citizen with a quiet home and lots of love to give?

Print this flyer and pop it up at your local shops, library, senior citizens centre, vet clinic or in your neighbours’ letterbox. Help connect shy cats with senior citizens - they make super companions!

Find out more about PetRescue’s Shy Cats and Senior Citizens program