Purrrfect Ending For Net's Most Popular Cat Thanks to London Veterinarian
A popular feline who attracted thousands of followers on cat social networking sites has finally found a home thanks to London’s only cat veterinarian and a local newspaper who reported her tendency to lash out unexpectedly.
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September 24, 2008 (FPRC) -- Betsy - as the cat has been named – was taken to Kitten to Cat veterinary clinic in Kew, Richmond in June and the clinic launched an online campaign to find her owners. Within a short time Betsy had nearly 4,000 friends on feline social networking website United Cats and her YouTube video had been viewed thousands of times. Her story had struck a cord with cat lovers worldwide and the clinic was inundated with hundreds of well wishes and messages of support.
Ironically, despite her massive online following it was an article in the local newspaper describing her as 'old, homeless and [with] a tendency to lash out unexpectedly' that ultimately led to her re-homing.
Cat vet Zeta Frasca is using the campaign to raise awareness of the importance of micro-chipping. 'Betsy was micro-chipped so we really should have been able to track down her family. Unfortunately they moved house and did not update their details so we were unable to locate them. Eventually we had to give up the search and find a new home for her' she said.
After reading the article, a Kew resident decided to visit Betsy at Kitten to Cat and immediately fell in love with her.
She said, 'after my Missy died two years ago there were many reasons not to have another cat, but Betsy filled all the criteria."
For Betsy it was a purrrfect match made in feline heaven. Betsy’s behavioural problems were probably a result of living on the streets and prolonged neglect, but these were seen as a challenge by her new owner.
'I was so blown away by her beauty, I was not concerned!' she said, adding 'of course nothing is totally stress-free, especially re-homing an angry, neglected cat for the first time. We both had to work hard to get along, and Betsy worked even harder. During the first week, after a lot of biting and scratching, I was sitting in her room, feeling battered and bruised, nursing my sore hand, wondering where we were going to next, when she came up to me, and with every fibre of her being, looked up at me, locked her eyes meaningfully into mine, put out her paw and laid it on my hand, as if to say: 'Don’t be sad, I’m not really that bad!'. This was a turning point.'
Betsy’s story has captivated the local Kew community. A local pet portrait artist, Sandra Palme, even donated a portrait of Betsy which now hangs in the clinic.
For more see
• Betsy’s story on United Cats: http://www.unitedcats.com/cat/helpbetsy
• Kitten to Cat’s YouTube videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/kittentocatlondon
• Betsy’s portrait: http://www.finepetportraits.co.uk/BetsyCat.html
About Kitten to Cat. Opened March 2008, Kitten to Cat is London’s only cat only veterinary surgery. As well as a cat friendly veterinary surgery, Kitten to Cat, has boarding facilities equipped with web cams so owners can make a Skype video call anytime to check up on their loved ones. Kitten to Cat is based in Kew, Richmond in West London www.kittentocat.com
Send an email to Simon Hade of Kitten to Cat - Cat Only Veterinary Clinic in London
+442089400014
Keywords:
Kitten to Cat, cat, vet
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