Lilac

**Please read Lilac's ENTIRE bio. There will be a quiz later.**

Yes, this bio is long, but we took the time to write it for a reason.

(Note: We are going to get flooded with applications, so please be patient with us as we try to go through them all.)

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Lilac is best represented by the 4 Ss:
Stunning
Sweet
Snuggly
Sassy

There is no doubt that Lilac is gorgeous.
As her name indicates, she is a Lilac Point Birman, and an absolutely *beautiful* one at that.

But we are not looking for someone who wants her simply because of her breed.

Yes, one can save thousands of dollars by adopting a 'purebred' cat from a rescue, but that is not what we are about, and we hope it is not what you are about, either.

Rescue is about saving lives, and that is exactly what happened with Lilac.

She is from an unethical breeder who brought her into the vet to be euthanised.
She had ringworm, and they did not want to bother with treatment.
Lilac was moments away from being killed unnecessarily because of a treatable fungal infection.

Luckily, our vet talked them into surrendering her to us instead (the breeder then had the audacity to ask if we would 'buy her' from them!), and of course we stepped up. Ringworm should not be a death sentence. We fear for the other cats at this breeder's house, but unfortunately there is nothing we can do directly (I believe the vet contacted the council and RSPCA, however).

Lilac has spent about half of her life in quarantine.
Her ringworm was particularly bad, and she required 2 months of intensive treatment.
We had to shave her to ensure we were properly targeting and treating every lesion.
But she was a little trooper and we have finally overcome the ailment.

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Lilac is one of the most loving cats you can meet.

Considering she spent 2+ months without much direct contact, she emerged from quarantine wanting to make up for weeks and weeks of missed hugs. She has barely left our sides (except when she is put away at bedtime).

Lilac is the ultimate lap cat.
And when you are up and about, she will be your little shadow.

She is purry and cuddly and having her next to you or on your lap is like having a soothing hot water bottle (but one that will look up at you and mew lovingly).

She will affectionately bite your chin and she gives absolutely heart-melting head boops.

She will also curl up in bed with you under the doona and give you all the snuggles you could ever dream of.

She is unbelievably sweet.

If you *do not* want a cat who is looking for love and attention, she is *not* the cat for you.
She needs attention. She wants attention. She deserves attention.

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All that said, Lilac has a sassy streak, and this is what we need everyone to be aware of. This is typical of the Birman breed, but is also a key characteristic of her individual personality.

Because she spent a good chunk of her formative kittenhood alone and without other cats/kittens, she has begun to develop Single Kittens Syndrome. Please read up on this. (It is why many rescues will not adopt out just one young kitten. We will, but we need people to be aware!)

Lilac is very smart and very strong-willed.
Personally, we adore this about her, but we need her adopter to appreciate it as well, and to respond to it appropriately.

Lilac wants to get her way.
Once she gets it in her head that she wants to do something, there is very little you can do to stop her. And if you try, she will sass you.
Sometimes this sass comes in the form of a disapproving meow and some very insistent tail swishes. Sometimes it comes as a bite.

Lilac is effectively a toddler, and she throws temper tantrums.
She is sweet and cuddly and absolutely gorgeous 99% of the time; the other 1% she is a sass, and this is what we need everyone to be aware of.

When she bites, it can be hard. And you CANNOT retaliate.
She needs Positive Reinforcement ONLY.
If a toddler hit you, you would not hit them back (hopefully!), so when she bites, we need you to shut her down *without* anger, and redirect her toward better behaviour.

Remember: this is not her fault. She was exposed to a fungal infection in a horrible environment and subsequently had to spend *half of her kittenhood* without much physical affection. This is very normal behaviour and the damage can be undone, but it will take a patient, understanding person to do it.

When you apply for Lilac, you must include a note about how you intend to address this behaviour. This is to demonstrate to us that you have read this bio and that you understand her sassy side. (We told you there'd be a quiz later. :) )

We would prefer she goes to someone experienced with strong-willed cats who can/will work with her properly.

Lilac will adjust to a house with other pets, as long as those pets are also patient and gentle.
She is a little bossypants when she meets another cat, but as long as that cat does not encourage or reinforce this behaviour, she settles down. She is currently with five adult foster siblings, and they simply let her sass them without much fuss in return (there have been a few growls and hisses, but that's as far as they care to go).

When Lilac was introduced to a younger kittens, she charged at him, so we strongly discourage her from going to a household with a small kitten. We are not sure how much she will mellow as she gets older, so if you plan to get kittens in the future, we cannot predict how she might react. Please be aware of this.

We think she would do well in a house with a gentle pup.

She *cannot* go to a household with small children. This is non-negotiable. We know that some children are incredibly gentle and patient, but we cannot risk her biting them and them retaliating out of fright or anger.

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We are focussing on her less desirable traits in this bio simply because we need people to understand this side of her. As stated, this is a very, very small part of her personality. She is overall one of the most loving, loyal, wonderful cats you will ever meet, but we cannot risk her being returned to us because of her sass. She has been through enough trauma in her little life and she needs a happily ever after.

If you think you are a good candidate for this stunning little sweetheart, please send us an application and we will be in touch as soon as we can.