One of the wonderful cat rescues we have featured is Save the Cats Arizona. They are a 501(c)3 sanctuary based in Gilbert, AZ – and you can read their profile post here. Today we get to share with you one of their rescue stories, as told by Terry, a Board Member and the Volunteer & Sanctuary Coordinator for Save the Cats Arizona.
Terry shares Fussy’s story
Fussy was a scrappy, skinny and very scared cat that we rescued from a 110 acre preserve in Gilbert. He had horrible dental issues, he was drooling constantly, he was losing weight and his coat was looking terrible because he had stopped grooming himself. We had taken him to the vet several times, removed most of his teeth, and he was on medication – but nothing seemed to help. We even had to guard him when he ate wet food because the bigger cats would just push him away. Fussy was in pretty bad shape. We were seriously discussing if this was any life for a cat to live; it just didn’t seem right.
Well, later that day, a mother/daughter team who recently volunteered with us offered to take Fussy home to foster him, where he could spend his last days in peace and surrounded by love. We agreed and thought what a wonderful idea – so off he went to a foster home.
It has now been several months and Fussy has gained weight, his coat looks better than ever, no more dental issues, off his meds and he has his new best friends to snuggle with! He has become so much more social and confidant
Fussy made a huge comeback because all it took was a home, love and special attention. It’s an amazing story and we are thrilled Fussy has a new lease on life!
Fussy’s foster mom says:
“Fussy’s favorite activities include rubs under the chin, taking cat naps, playing when he thinks nobody is watching, and looking extra cute.
He loves to greet cats with a gentle headbutt and follows his best friend, Leo, everywhere. If Leo drinks, he drinks. If Leo scratches, he scratches. If Leo jumps on the bed, Fussy also jumps on the bed.
Fussy can be quite talkative and purrs instantly when he is being petted. Fussy loves attention…although sometimes he will play “hard to get” at first. He is making great progress and learning to trust more and more each day. I really enjoy watching him learn how to be a house cat and love being a part of his growth and success!”
When Three Chatty Cats asked Terry for an update on Fussy, we were told that he may very likely become a foster fail! Fussy is enjoying life with Leo and a new foster sibling, Doc!
Thank you to Terry and Fussy’s foster mom for sharing his story with us. It just goes to show how a cat can completely turnaround with the proper care and in the right loving home!
You can connect with Save the Cats Arizona on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. They are also on Twitter and Catastic as “LilSonora” – named for their spokes kitty). You can donate at their website or learn more about volunteering as well!
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What a wonderful story about Fussy! We sure hope he becomes a foster fail as his new house sounds pawsome. Hope we’ll get an update on him. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
I have it on good authority that he will most likely foster fail! It’s just not official. He’s one lucky kitty!
We love happy endings! So glad Fussy found the purrfect home.
Happy endings sure are the best! Especially when it starts out not so happy.
We love hearing about pets that overcome difficulties and Fussy is one of them who find happiness with with a new furever home.
I agree. So happy for Fussy!
Great rescue story! Thanks for sharing Fussy with us.
How lovely! We are so happy for Fussy :)
Purrs xx
Athena and Marie
What a wonderful story! Truly heartwarming. It’s amazing what a furever home and some love and attention can do! Thank you for sharing Fussy’s story!
We see this amazing transformation all the time. Our rescue takes cats out of shelters and into foster homes. Time after time the shelter notes say, “Difficult to handle” “Very timid” “Agressive”, and the cat gets into a foster home and becomes a purring lovebug! Not always, but more often than not. It’s so great!
He is so bootyful. We’s so happy he is enjoyin’ da good life now.
Luv ya’
Dezi
Lovely Fussy! ♡
This made me smile–hurray for Fussy! He’s found his home, yay!
Why Fussy! you are like me! I was so scared and not trusting humans. All it took was a nice quiet foster home where there were no other cats (I’m mostly afraid of other cats) and just my retired humans. And like your potential new family, my humans were foster fails on their very first foster—ME! I have been in my very own castle for four glorious years. I do have a female younger sibling, mostly I just ignore her. I have not yet learned what it means or looks like to play with another cat, much to Sage’s disappointment. Paw It Forward Fussy!
You are so lucky to have been a foster fail! Sounds like you were a keeper, as obviously your foster parents realized.
Yay for Fussy! Foster “failures” are the best!
Just shows the transformation that can happen with a great deal of TLC! Four paws up for Fussy!!!
I love happy endings! And foster fails are the best kind of fails. He is a cutie, I am so glad someone gave him a chance.
What a difference love makes!!
How wonderful he may be a foster fail. He sounds like a sweet cat.
What a sweet story. As a former foster mom, I know all about foster fails!
We love foster fail stories! We are so happy that Fussy is doing so well, and that his happily forever after has just about started. :)
How sweet of Terry to offer to foster him. Oftentimes, the shelter is just too stressful for kitties to thrive and they just need a home and some love. I hope he becomes a foster fail – it sounds like he is really enjoying life where he is :)
I love stories like this. All Fussy needed was a second chance with someone who cared. Shedding tears of joy. TW has a friend who’s gonna be 70 in a few years. She has 2 senior cats but says when they go OTRB, she’s not getting anymore. TW suggested fostering and she couldn’t believe TW thought she’d give any cat up who came into her home.
I made sure to like all their channels! Fussy is super cute and I like that he turned into a talkative munchkin! Yep! he JUST needed a second chance :) Loved this story.
photos are glorious