This is Phillippe. He has had a very traumatic start to life. We don't know for certain but strongly suspect that he is a kitten we first met back in January this year. Near to where we picked Phillippe up from is a house which we visited in January this year. We had gone there to pick up a cat being surrendered to SHUA. The house was dirty - not messy, dirty. There were 2 young children and a young, big dog. Kids and puppies can both be boisterous at times, as is only normal, but good parents raise their kids to behave when visitors are around and train their dogs to do the same. Not in this family. The kids were loud and the dog was bouncy the entire time we were there with absolutely no attempt made by either parent to calm them down.
We had received reports from various sources that this family acquired pets - dogs, cats, rats, you name it - and then discarded them when they'd tired of them. They would then get new pets when they felt like it and again discard them when they tired of them. We had already picked up one such discarded cat from this family (identified by the microchip) and they had then agreed to surrender another to us. While at the property, we noticed 3 young kittens running around the kitchen.
A few months ago we picked up a young stray in the same area who looked suspiciously like one of the kittens we had seen in the kitchen at the property in January. The age was right too. Now, a few months later still, we pick up another young stray who again, matches the description and age of one of the kittens we saw in January.
Phillippe's behaviour is classic for a kitten who has been raised in the sort of household we had witnessed. He should be a lively, confident young boy but instead is very quiet. He has learnt to keep out of the way for fear of being mishandled by the rowdy kids or bounced on by the well-meaning dog. He isn't nervous or shy - he just isn't confident. He has only been here a short time and so far spends most of the day sat up on the carpeted shelf in the outdoor run part of his pen. The indoor part of his pen is in our main utility block and so there are always people coming and going through there. He finds it a bit overwhelming and during the day just comes inside to eat and use his tray.
As I say, though, he isn't nervous. As soon as you say hello to him and start to give him a fuss he happily rolls over and shows you his tummy (see picture). When you try to engage him into playing with you while he is lying on his back he will use his back legs to kick at your hand but only very gently. He won't grab you with his front paws like most kittens and young cats would if you played with them in this way. So his behaviours show that he is friendly and affectionate and does want to play but just hasn't been handled properly by his previous family.
Consequently, Phillippe needs a quiet, stable home without young children. He needs a person or family who will show him patience and encouragement. In return he will be very loving and we're sure it will only be a matter of time before the playful, confident kitten inside reveals himself to you. Phillippe would also be fine with other pets but preferably nothing too big or rowdy (like a young dog).
If you would like to adopt Phillippe, please read our adoption policy and then get in touch to arrange an appointment.
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