Blog – When choosing a cat, be colour blind.

The first cat I chose to come home with me when I moved out of my parents was a tiny, seven week old kitten the rescue had named Spitz.

She was a brindle tortoiseshell and was adorable.

Tragedy struck the rescue she was at and an outbreak of cat flu took her and quite a few of the other young kitten’s lives. It was a remarkably sad conversation when I returned to visit Spitz a week after first meeting her.

The rescue assistant asked what I wanted to do. Having not even considered this turn of events a possibility it took me a moment to compose myself. I made a split second decision….”There are more cats in there still needing homes, aren’t there?” she said most definitely so we went into the cattery for me to meet them.

Walking along the pens, most of the cats seemed resigned to their lot behind bars; except one. Where the other cats were all eating, playing or sleeping this lady was clinging to the pen door screaming her lungs out. She was bored, confused and clearly felt totally abandoned.

“I’d like to reserve her” I said, ignoring the incredulous looks from the people who had brought me and to some degree, the assistant.

Once she adjusted to life in my home (now our home, naturally), Carrie was a larger than life character who was devoted to me. She accepted new feline residents without so much as a hiss, and was fiercely possessive of me when other people were around. I had fifteen years with her sharing my life and I loved her every single minute of it.

Years later, assisting independent cat rescues I found an interesting piece of information out. Carrie and Jack, the first two cats that shared my home, were both the colours most likely to be overlooked when rescue cats are viewed for homing.
People request certain colourings of cats with alarming regularity, not considering that the colouring of a cat is not the thing that defines them. A ginger cat is no more likely to be child friendly than any other; nor is a white cat less likely to be a lap cat. What defines a cat is their personality, the same as people.
If you limit the search for a feline family member based on their colouring then you’re likely to miss out on a potentially amazing bond with a wonderful animal. When looking for a cat to share your home, be colour blind.

Carrie and Jack, having some relaxation time….