Designer Cats Find Forever Home After Multiple Rehomes
Jelly and Custard, two sphynx and American curl cross cats, were bred as part of the designer cat craze. These siblings were highly sought after and sold for an exorbitant price to their first family. Unfortunately, the family was unprepared for the level of care these unique cats required, and they were swiftly given up.
Over the initial two years of their lives, Jelly and Custard were shuffled between seven different homes, with one family keeping them for just 24 hours before deciding they weren’t ready for the commitment. Ultimately, the RSPCA Canterbury Branch became their refuge, providing them with a chance for a fresh start.
RSPCA Canterbury Branch Manager Natalie Archer stated in a press release, “Before they came to us, these poor cats were being passed around like unwanted handbags — but they aren’t fashion accessories; they’re sentient beings who feel fear and pain, joy and happiness.” She added, “They didn’t deserve this start in life — but sadly, cats like these are trendy and fashionable, and they’re the tip of the iceberg of a breeding crisis.”
Hairless cats, such as sphynx, require specialized care, including regular bathing, ear and eye cleaning, protection from sunlight, and ample warmth. Additionally, they may face health challenges like heart diseases, necessitating vigilant health care from their families. When unprepared families adopt these cats, homelessness often results.
The shelter’s post about Jelly and Custard generated such a notable reaction that their website crashed due to a surge of adoption interest. Yet, the shelter knew they needed an experienced adopter who wouldn’t shy away from the care these cats necessitate.
Thankfully, Heather Morris and her family, experienced with these unique breeds, came forward. They were ready to provide the attention Jelly and Custard required. “They really are such characters, almost like dogs in cats’ bodies — they take over the whole house and it’s chaos, but we love it,” Morris said in a press release.
Morris expressed her frustration that her sweet pets had to endure such a rocky beginning and wants potential adopters to be aware of the commitment involved in caring for a hairless cat. “Too many people think, ‘Oh, they look quirky, let’s get one of those’ — but there’s so much more to them than their appearance and they need a lot of care,” she noted.
Jelly and Custard have found their forever home, but many cats like them are misunderstood and abandoned. For those looking to adopt a pet, adopting rather than shopping can truly change an animal’s life.
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