An extraordinary dog tester
At the Muttville Senior Dog Rescue in San Francisco, USA, compatibility between species is not taken lightly. The team knows that many families wishing to adopt a dog already share their lives with a cat. ”About 40% of our applicants have a cat in the home,” explains the management. To ensure that living together goes as smoothly as possible, they have called in a very special consultant.
For a long time, Mustache, a beautiful ginger cat, took on this role with absolute calm. Twice a month, he visited the rescue centre to meet the dogs. His mission was to assess their behaviour around felines. Confident and serene, Mustache was the ideal colleague for this delicate task.
A carefully managed process
Far from being left to chance, these meetings follow a very strict protocol to guarantee the safety and well-being of each animal. The dog is introduced to the cat in a controlled environment. The team closely observes the canine's reaction, looking for curiosity, excitement, indifference, or nervousness.
But the most important opinion is undoubtedly that of the expert himself. If a dog seemed too pushy or uncomfortable, Mustache knew how to communicate this through his body language, never hesitating to signal his disapproval. On the other hand, he also knew how to appreciate a gentle and respectful interaction. Today, the brave Mustache has passed the torch to a successor, Little Dude, who continues this essential mission with the same professionalism. It is a heartwarming initiative that helps many dogs find their perfect home.