At 15 years old, this little ginger cat should be enjoying a peaceful retirement, napping on a warm, cosy sofa. Sadly, her reality is very different.
Left to fend for herself on the streets in France, she actually has an owner. However, he doesn't seem to care for her, and neighbours have been worried about her welfare for several months.
Often hiding under cars, the little cat is deaf and wants nothing more than a quiet life. Yet, since last summer, local residents noticed she was struggling even to find water, clearly hoping that passers-by would feed her.
After several reports and a three-month investigation, which confirmed the owner travelled often and left his cat behind, a local rescue charity decided to step in. This happened after a kind neighbour took her in to shelter her from the rain one day.
She can finally rest... but only for a few days
She was taken to the vet, where they found she had an identification tattoo. However, the contact details on the national database were out of date. The rescue charity then started the official "found pet" procedure. In France, owners have eight days to come forward to claim their pet. After this period, the animal is legally considered abandoned and can be put up for adoption. Expecting the owner's neglect to continue, the charity never could have predicted what happened next. They had tried everything to reach him: visiting his address, searching for his surname on social media, and sending letters. Yet, no one came forward.
For seven days, the little cat enjoyed the comfort of indoor life and plenty of cuddles. But just as life was finally sweet, her owner suddenly got in touch with an unexpected demand: he wanted his cat back.
A heartbreaking turn of events
Deeply concerned, the charity asked for details about her living conditions, trying to understand why she was always left outside without care. The owner's answers did nothing to reassure them. Soon, he became confrontational and threatened to report them to the police for theft.
After speaking with the police, the charity was forced to return the cat to the cold streets. Her owner insisted that his pet simply preferred living this way.
After ten days of living the dream, this poor little ginger cat was sent back out into the rain. Devastated by a situation that happens to far too many cats, the charity does not intend to let the matter rest there.