Many times, common experiences have a way of bringing people together and forming lasting friendships. Surprisingly, it’s not just humans who benefit from these special bonds. Our beloved feline companions also know a thing or two about forming strong connections. The stars of today’s tale, Suzie Q and Anna, are living proof of that. Despite their rough start in a feral environment, these two fluffy friends have found a bright and happy future together.
Suzie Q and Anna found their way to safety with the help of the Ontario Feral Cat Project (OFCP), a non-profit on a mission to control the feral and stray cat population through trap, neuter, and return efforts, as well as finding loving homes for these cats. Feral cats, like Suzie Q and Anna, are not accustomed to human interaction as they have lived in the wild, making it difficult to transition them into indoor pets.
Transforming a feral feline into a domesticated pet may take time and effort, but with patience, empathy, and affection, it is possible. Suzie Q and Anna exemplify this process perfectly. Suzie Q, a 9-month-old kitten, was rescued along with her mother and siblings by OFCP. She was a playful and friendly kitty who enjoyed interacting with humans and receiving pets. However, she was not too keen on being picked up and carried around.
The volunteers at the shelter were hopeful that Suzie Q would eventually warm up to human interaction as she settled into her forever home. She was sociable with both people and other cats at the shelter, eagerly extending her paw for attention and affection. In contrast, Anna had a rough start, arriving at the shelter as a young kitten without her family for support.
Even though she had been on her own, Anna’s ability to socialize had not suffered. In fact, despite her challenging circumstances, Anna easily adapted to the kindness of humans and the joys of living in their world. This included receiving plenty of cuddles, which she absolutely adored.
Thanks to her warm and friendly nature, Anna became the ideal feline companion and had an edge in finding her forever home. Once the shelter staff deemed both Suzie Q and Anna socialized enough, they were both introduced at their very first adoption event.
Shortly after signing her adoption papers, Anna was excited to embark on her new journey with her forever family. Meanwhile, Suzie Q was still waiting for her perfect match at the shelter, but the staff remained hopeful that her time would come soon.
Unfortunately, Anna’s stay with her new family was short-lived as she was returned to the shelter before long. The reason given was that Anna had attacked the family dog and seemed to have a deep dislike for him.
It’s important to note that this aggressive behavior was not Anna’s fault. Introducing a new cat, especially one with a background like Anna’s, to a resident dog (or cat) should always be a gradual and cautious process.
In any case, OFCP happily welcomed Anna back into their care and continued their efforts to find her a forever home. They shared the update on their Facebook page and were met with an outpouring of support and positivity.
Upon seeing Anna’s photo, a kind-hearted woman named Julie promptly reached out, showing a sincere desire to welcome Anna into her family. Julie already had experience as a loving cat owner to two precious felines named B.S. and Gremlin, so she was well-equipped to care for another furry friend.
Julie had a slight issue: she was scheduled to be out of town for a few days. But thanks to the OFCP, Anna found a foster mom named Kerri, who was set to finalize the adoption and help with Anna’s adjustment. Kerri mentioned that Julie was thrilled about adding Anna to her pet family. However, a crazy yet brilliant thought crossed Julie’s mind.
“I texted Julie about picking up Anna at PetSmart today, and she was so excited. As a joke, I suggested she should adopt Suzie Q too…because four is the perfect number!” Kerri recalled.
What started as a playful banter ended up sparking a great idea for Julie. When she saw Suzie Q and Anna together, she knew they belonged together. And just like that, Julie decided to adopt them both, ensuring they became inseparable best friends fur-ever.
Julie posted some adorable photos and videos showing the girls happily adjusting to life in her home and bonding with B.S. and Gremlin. They were a perfect addition to her family, and we definitely couldn’t agree more!
Do you have a story about a wild cat that became a cozy indoor pet to share with us? Feel free to leave a comment and tell us all about it!