Sooty The Lucky Black Cat

This poor old chap came to Rain as a stray. We think he’s over 10 years old, possibly in his teens and he is very deaf. He’d probably been living rough for some time however local residents became concerned about him one very cold snowy weekend when he clearly had nowhere to go. They contacted Rain for help and Sooty came into foster care.

He had no chip or collar, and despite poster-ing the local area and advertising him on numerous lost and found pet internet sites no one came forward to claim him. Maybe he just wasn’t wanted any more. Although his foster mum described him as “handsome” other people muttered about him “having a face only a mummy could love”. Maybe they had a point – he had huge sticky out canine teeth, too big for his dribbly mouth, was underweight with a scruffy coat containing the biggest ugliest tick ever!

Sooty was hauled off to our lovely vet at the first opportunity. The tick was removed and the bite gradually healed. We discovered his huge teeth needed removing as they were loose and infected. Nearly £400 pounds later the dental work was done, the dribbling stopped, and Sooty was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and a mild degree of arthritis.

Sooty is now on twice daily medication for his thyroid and needs regular blood tests until his thyroid level is stabilised. We’ve been surprised (and more than a little relieved!) at how well he’s taken to having tablets every day. He loves the chicken paste they’re wrapped in and enjoys that bit of special treatment at meal times. A few weeks into the treatment he’s now put on a bit of weight and his coat is soft and shiny.

The poor lad was anxious at first in his foster home – it must be frightening when everything is new and it all takes you by surprise because you don’t hear people (furry or otherwise) approaching you. However he seems to have realised that there’s nothing to worry about – he gets on well with his foster brother and sister and enjoys snuggling with his foster mum. He may be a senior kitten but he still has plenty of life in him and loves playing with his toys and going out for a stroll around the garden.

The change in him since he came into foster care has been a delight to watch. He will most likely continue to need medication and regular blood tests for the rest of his life, that or an operation to remove part of his thyroid gland. Could you possibly help to fund his care so he can live out the rest of his life in comfort? Perhaps together we can make up a little for the tough start he had in life.