Hi, I’m Ruby
I am a sweet older girl looking for my forever retirement foster home!
More About Me
Breed - Domestic Short haired
Sex - Female
Age - Approx 14 years old (ex-stray- unsure of exact age)
Colour - Black and white
Neutered - Yes
Vaccinated - Yes
Microchipped - Yes
FIV/FeLV blood tested- Yes (Negative)
Live with children -13+
Live with other cats -No
Live with dogs -No
Temperament - Friendly, loving on her terms, Independent
Indoor-only or outdoor access?- Indoor only cat
Home check applies
My story so far…
Hello my name is Ruby
I came into the sanctuary in August after I was found outside in need of desperate help. I was very underweight and in poor health at the time (please read my medical history). My finders were concerned for me and believed I had been abandoned by my owners.
I am a really sweet friendly girl and enjoy affection on my terms. I do enjoy my own space and independence too. I can be a bit grouchy at times If I am unhappy about something but I will just vocalise this and move away from the situation. I am a proper little foodie too. This is partly due to me having hyperthyroidism and probably also stems from the fact that I was on the streets fending for myself so my next meal is important to me. I can get a bit vocal around meal times in the cattery here and sometimes try it on for more food! My carers have given me extra meals since I arrived though as I needed to gain weight. I have put on over 1kg and I am now a really good weight.
I am an older girl and have been through a lot so I really need a loving and caring home now to live the rest of my years in!
Home I am looking for…
I would need to be rehomed as an only pet. I am quite grumpy around other cats and would not appreciate living with a dog either.
I would like a more chilled out home but I would happily live with an older teenage child that will respect my space. I just wouldn’t enjoy living with young children.
I am ideally looking for an indoor only home with plenty of space. A home with a cat proofed garden or catio would be a bonus.
I am looking for a loving retirement foster home. This is very similar to an adoption except I will still be under the care of the sanctuary as they will continue to cover the cost of any further veterinary treatment I require. My fosterer will need to be able to drive or at least have someone that can help to take me to any future appointments at Southcrest vets in Redditch. This is the vets the sanctuary use, so It would be preferred that a potential foster home lives within close enough proximity to this vets.
When placing foster cats into forever homes, the sanctuary just ask fosterers to cover the cost of everything other than my veterinary costs. As long as I get the food I need and some yummy treats then I'm happy! My fosterer will need to be comfortable administering medication dirently into my mouth twice daily. I am a good girl with taking my meds though!
As part of being a foster animal, the sanctuary will require updates about me and my health. They will also support in any way they can. The option of forever fostering means you dont have to worry about the cost of vet fees and at the same time you help provide a warm, loving and comfortable home environment for an older cat with a health issue that would otherwise be spending a long time in a rescue pen with nobody wanting to adopt them.
Medical history…
I have hyperthyroidism and require thyronorm medication for this twice daily now for the rest of my life. My levels have been checked recently and they are currently stable on the dose I am on. I will need blood tests to check my levels again every 6 months or if any clinical signs develop as this could indicate I am not on the right dose. Please follow the link to learn more about this condition (https://icatcare.org/advice/hyperthyroidism/).
When I came into the sanctuary I had ongoing diarrhoea and was incontinent for the first 2 months I was here. I had a scan which was clear and faecal tests sent off which showed that I was a feline coronavirus (FCoV) carrier. This is a common viral infection in cats. It generally causes asymptomatic infection, but can cause mild diarrhoea too. I dont require any treatment for this. Please follow the link to read more about FCoV…….https://www.cats.org.uk/media/fq3dwmnt/feline-coronavirus-fcov-and-feline-infectious-peritonitis-fip-procedures.pdf
The cause of my diarrhoea and incontinence was due to an overgrowth of nasty gut bacteria which was treated with two antibiotics. This cleared it up and I am no longer having any accidents and have solid stools majority of the time with some looser stools occasionally. Stress is most likely the main factor of this and the reason why I had so much nasty gut bacteria.
I have recently had a dental and had 4 teeth removed and my remaining teeth cleaned. I do still have some gingivitis and will require another dental in the next 6-12 months.
Diet…
Since coming into the sanctuary I have been on a bland diet of Royal Canin gastro intestinal food due to having some diarrhoea. This has mostly resolved now however I do still have a bit of a sensitive tummy so it is best I stay on this blander food. I can have the occasional treat though.
If you think you could offer me the home I need, please fill out an Adoption Enquiry Form. Please make sure you have read about all of my needs and our adoption policies before applying.
Forms lacking in detail or with questions unanswered may not be considered, we need to ensure we are matching our cats to the right home for them.