Tilly has a home !

Every once in a while an animal comes along that just can't seem to catch a break; Tilly was one of those animals.  Those of you involved with the shelter know about Tilly's struggle to find a home after being surrendered on October 2, 2010.  

For those of you not familiar with Tilly, here is her story, in a nut shell . . .  

Tilly found herself homeless at 6 years old when a pup joined the home and Tilly didn't adjust to the new addition, though she had been living fine and in fact was good friends with another dog in the home up until then. And though Tilly had lived in the home since she was 8-weeks-old, she was the one who found herself looking for a new home. 

Upset at finding herself uprooted from her home and the life she knew, Tilly initially kept to herself hanging out in her Hide&Perch box, but she did enjoy being groomed with the Zoom brush and coming out for some petting once she felt more comfortable and secure. A bit scared of other cats, Tilly did not do well in the Communal Room, as she tended to hide and could be a bit of a cranky girl, with no other cats around Tilly was the most affectionate and loving cat you'll meet.

After being at the shelter for several months Tilly became seriously ill with a respiratory illness, once recovered Tilly was back in the Communal room but soon found herself back in the sick room at Christmas and stayed there under medical care until January 24th almost losing her eye that time due to infection. Tilly's former home were contacted and they wanted to bring Tilly home, but as the pup was still there Tilly did not fare any better than the first time around and in June 2011 was brought back to the shelter.

Devastated, Tilly withdrew and became irritable  . . . fortunately one of our cat room volunteers, Marilynne, offered to foster Tilly, so off she went into foster care.   But after three months with no one willing to visit the foster home to meet her and one of the people in the home allergic to cats, Tilly was recently brought back to the shelter.  Where within days she became ill again.  

Chatty and playful outside of the shelter Tilly enjoys being petted and will chat away telling you all about her day. Her foster home said that while Tilly isn't a lap cat, she does enjoy sitting or laying beside you. She also doesn't like getting her feet wet if outside in the garden and will tip toe along the planks of the garden to keep dry.

So why was it so hard for Tilly to find a home?

Tilly does not do well under stress and truly does miss having a home; in fact not having a home is what was making her sick each time.

Everyone was so concerned about Tilly that a plan was made to get the word out - even more - about her; a plea was sent out and employees promoted Tilly to people visiting the shelter looking for a feline companion.  Posters were also going to be created and put up on bulletin boards around town, Lara (Safe and Sound, Lost and Found) offered to post Tilly's story on her web site . . . and everyone generally spread the word.

But things were about to change for Tilly . .  for the better.

Shortly after the plea went out, Tilly received the biggest break she had had since arriving when Audrey Hill (Volunteer Manager, Powell River SPCA Branch) sent Tilly's info to a woman she knew looking for a companion.

It looked like a match had been made . . . everyone was excited but until Tilly actually left the building there was still some hesitation about celebrating Tilly's new home.  The main hiccup was actually getting Tilly to Powell River.  A date was set for one of the shelter employees (Jenna) to drive Tilly to Powell River on her day off, but that plan fell through.  Fortunately a long time shelter volunteer - Jennifer Steeves - offered to drive Tilly . . . the big day finally arrived and off Tilly went with Jennifer to her new life!  

Tilly is now happily settling into her new home with Michelle, there are no other animals in the home and Tilly will be an indoor cat!   Exactly what Tilly was looking for :-) 

Thank you to Audrey for passing on Tilly's info, Michelle for giving Tilly the home she has waited so long for, Jennifer for driving Tilly to Powell River and the shelter employees and volunteers for caring for Tilly during her stay and to everyone who rooted for her and spread the word.  Team work at it's best!

No more lonely days for Tilly

After over a year since first arriving . . . Tilly has a place to call home again :-)