

From grumpy to… well, Susan’s still grumpy. But that’s OK. Her new adopter loves her anyway!
Rescued from the pound in March last year by SAFE Avon Valley, sassy Susan went through three foster homes and demanded an understanding human that would accommodate her surly purrsonality, and intense dislike of all other animals. But with some extra help from PetRescue’s Adoptables program just before Christmas, she found her perfect match in the new year.
“Susan is a middle-aged lady with a slightly dated haircut and a bad attitude - who wants to speak to your manager!” read her first PetRescue profile.
Indeed, this feisty feline is quite a contradiction in that she’s fond of people and happy to be sociable at times, but she values her personal space and will let you know when she wants to be left alone. Susan also required a home with absolutely, positively, no other cats, or dogs, or small children. Realising this was a tall order, SAFE Avon Valley even waived Susan’s adoption fee to help her find the right home. But still, no joy on the adoption front.
This made Susan the purrfect candidate for PetRescue’s Adoptables program, supported by PETstock Assist. The program gives an extra helping hand to pets who find it harder than most to find love - pets in their senior years, pets with disabilities or special needs, and pets with ‘unique’ personalities like Susan.
PetRescue’s PR team got to work arranging professional photography, thanks to the wonderful Steph from Reverie Photography, as well as paid Facebook advertising, extensive social media sharing, and putting out a press release to get Susan’s story out there in the local news media. We knew there just had to be a home out there somewhere!
The Subiaco Post newspaper picked up the story, and it was there that adopter Nicole first saw Susan’s face and contacted the rescue group to arrange a meet and greet.
“Nicole had exactly the home Susan needed – a quiet, indoor space with no other pets and one respectful and understanding human,” said Freedom from SAFE Avon Valley
“We explained to Nicole that Susan was sometimes anti-social, and always valued her personal space. Nicole responded that she was rather the same, and they sounded like a good match!
“When Nicole arrived, Susan’s initial response was good, with plenty of purring and interacting. Susan then went to lie down by the window and when Nicole moved over to sit with her, Susan swatted her away and explained in no uncertain terms that she needed some alone time now. Nicole acknowledged this was fair enough – they had only just met, after all – and she backed off. And then we knew it was all perfect!” laughed Freedom.
Here at PetRescue, we couldn’t be happier to hear that the meet and greet went well (even though Susan managed to get a couple of swipes in) and Susan is now settling in to her perfect new home with Nicole.
“Without PetRescue’s support and outreach, this adoption would not have happened, simple as that,” said Freedom from SAFE Avon Valley.
We’re just so happy for Susan, and the amazing team at SAFE Avon Valley who never gave up on Susan.
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