Adoption information
I've been adopted!
This pet is no longer available
On Hold
About Ruby
ADOPT US
*Bonded pair, available for the donation of your choice*
😺Shy July😺
Mother/daughter pair, Tilly and Ruby, have been in care for 3 1/2 months and they're finally ready to start looking for a new home to call their own.
They're looking for someone understanding, patient and loving.
Please take the time to read their story and understand these beautiful girls.
One day in March, we received a call from one of our partner vet clinics; they had someone wanting to book in 2 cats for euthanasia but were wondering if we would take the cats into our care instead.
So Tilly and Ruby joined the SAFE family!
The only way to accurately describe them upon arrival, is catatonic.
They were completely shut down and utterly terrified. For weeks and weeks, the girls did not move, barely even blinked when in view of their foster mum. They barely ate anything and would only pick at food at night time, under cover of darkness.
Tilly was forthright and aggressive, protecting herself and her daughter. She would lash out, hiss and swipe.
Ruby simply cowered in the corner, unwilling to make any eye contact, pretending not to exist.
The information we received was that Tilly was a stray cat who 'adopted' her family several years ago while pregnant. They kindly took her in, helped her raise her kittens and then kept her daughter Ruby along with Tilly.
The girls had free roam in the house but had minimal handling and interaction from their family.
They didn't leave the house for any reason - Ruby was literally born there and had never ever left - and didn't socialise with visitors or anyone else.
It's not surprising that they were completely shut down and petrified to suddenly become homeless and find themselves in an entirely new world!
In all honesty, one day I looked at their frightened faces and wondered if they would have been better off put to sleep. They were just so afraid and unhappy.
But slowly, things changed. They would edge over to the food bowl and take a nibble while in plain sight.
Tilly is inquisitive and interested she even tolerates a pat while she's eating!
They both have the most gorgeous green eyes and sweet faces.
There's no doubt about it, progress will be slow for these two.
Based on the life they have led, what they really want is something similar - a home and family who will keep them safe, cherish them, but love them from a distance.
They are not suited to being outside cats so need an indoor only home or one with a secure enclosure.
Tilly is about 5 yrs old and Ruby is 3 yrs old.
You won't be able to touch them, cuddle them or play with them at first. You might never be able to!
But you will get to watch them grow and settle. You'll experience the incredible reward of knowing you have saved two lives.
We honestly believe that they will be happy, playful cats once they feel safe. That's going to take months, but it will happen.
Ideally, they'll need a crate to stay in at first - we can lend one if required.
They're compatible with other cats and would likely benefit from the company of other, more confident cats in the home.
Cat-social dogs who aren't going to chase them, will also be fine.
Cats like this are hard to place. They're not everyone's cup of tea.
But we believe in them and we believe in YOU!
We know that our community and supporters can help us find a home for these girls, a home where they can be themselves, which is all that any of us wants, really.
Please share anywhere you can.
Message the page or email avonvalley@safe.org.au if you can help.
Let's make this happen! ♥️😺😺
*We have a selection of shy/reserved/fearful kitties looking for homes this month as part of Shy July. All are available to adopt by donation, all are desexed, microchipped and vaccinated.
Each cat costs us an average of $200 for routine vet work so any donation you make is greatly appreciated*
Adoption details
This pet has been adopted and found love with its new family.
The rescue group has removed this pet and it is no longer available for adoption.
The rescue group is no longer taking adoption applications for this pet.