In December 2011 we visited Stapeley Grange with the idea of maybe getting a cat.

While we were there we spotted this sleepy looking black cat with the words “case cat” “not for rehoming” on his pen and wires protruding from his jaw.

We spoke to the volunteers and found out that he had come in with his brother, both of them had been badly injured, his brother had a broken pelvis and brain damage and sadly had to be put to sleep, and “Sooty” had a broken jaw and a damaged kidney. His previous owner was claiming the cats hurt each other fighting, but it was pretty clear they had been kicked/violently attacked, however until the cruelty case the RSPCA were progressing came to court, he couldn’t be re-homed. If the owners won, he would have to be given back to them.

Because he couldn’t be adopted, he was due to be moved to the back of the Cattery, so the space in the visitor centre could go to a cat that could meet his forever family.

The volunteers were very clear with me - he couldn’t be adopted so I shouldn’t get attached to him, the fact that meant he wouldn’t get cuddles broke my heart.

Long story short - from this date onwards, I would visit the shelter to play with him every Friday, Saturday & Sunday. The amazing volunteers would give me special exceptions to stay a bit later than normal visiting hours, and I would sit on the floor with him and play or just let him sleep on my lap.

This went on for 8 months before finally one day we got the call, that only days before his case was due to be presented in court, his “owners” had agreed to sign him over and we could take him home - and Sooty became ELVIS!

We had more than 13 amazing years with him, he made us laugh every single day - he had so much personality and character. He loved being around people, and would complain if my husband and I weren’t in the same room, so he would lie in the hall between the two room. He would insist on sitting between us on the sofa & only considered water to be fresh when he saw it come out of the tap, and ideally you were still holding the bowl. His broken jaw left him with his distinctive tooth always on display which just made him look even cuter.

He came with us to Amsterdam, then Seattle and finally Nashville and took it all in his stride. He experienced exploring the roofs of Amsterdam too facing off with a raccoon in Seattle.  

We will be eternally grateful to the amazing team at Stapeley and the RSPCA who took him in, looked after him so carefully and continued to litigate the case against the owners to ensure they were banned from having pets again in the future.

All this costs money! The small adoption fee we paid will never come close to the years of love we had with him, so hope we can raise a little to say thank you.  

RSPCA Stapeley Grange Cattery work tirelessly to care for cats that have been injured, abandoned, neglected or become the victims of cruelty. They care for them until we find their perfect forever home. At any one time the centre can care for 64 cats.Please me raise money for the cats at RSPCA Stapeley Grange Cattery!To find out more about the work they do at the Stapeley Grange Cattery please visit www.rspca.org.uk/local/stapeley-grange-catteryThank you