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How a deaf cat found a new home

While some animals can be harder to rehome than others, with Cats Protection there's a perfect match for all of their felines

Thursday 23 August 2018 13:44 BST

Purina has partnered with Cats Protection for more than 30 years. As huge advocates of pet adoption, they believe there’s the perfect match out there for every cat and owner. But sometimes, some cats take a little longer to find their ideal home.

For instance, Cats Protection’s homing information shows that elderly cats – those over 15 – take on average 28 days longer in their centres to home than kittens. And those with specific health needs or disabilities can also have a longer wait to find new owners.

But for every cat there is an owner that’s right for them, and so it proved for Sam, a cat with hearing problems. He was adopted by pensioner Elaine, who has hearing issues of her own, but it hasn’t stopped them hitting it off, and they’re now inseparable companions.

“When Cats Protection told me Sam had hearing problems, I said, ‘So what?’” says Elaine. “I’m profoundly deaf, I wear two hearing aids – it’s just one of those things.”

Sam and Elaine couldn't be happier together

More important to Elaine was the love and affection that Sam could give her. “I’d lost my last cat and my husband within a very short time of each other,” she says, “and it hit me very hard. When I met Sam he was so affectionate, I’d like to think he knew I needed a friend.”

Sam soon got used to his new surroundings. “He made himself at home right away,” says Elaine. “I wouldn’t say he’s spoilt but he will have the armchair and I get the foot stool. He doesn’t take up much room – that’s because he’s always lying on top of me. And he keeps me on my toes. I wish I could keep up, but he’s got four paws and I’ve only got two legs.”

Now Sam and Elaine couldn’t be happier together. “There’s something special about cats,” she says. “They don’t ask for much, they don’t answer back, and they love cuddles. If my husband was still here, he’d love him too.”

Purina and Cats Protection believe no cat is unadoptable. They are working together to help find every cat their perfect match. If you’re ready to give a cat a loving home go to cats.org.uk/adopt-a-cat

*This content was commissioned and approved by Purina

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