Adopting a cat is never easy — not least because there are so many to choose from at the shelter! Unfortunately for the kitties, too much competition means some of them spend much longer than anticipated waiting to find a new forever home. And that’s especially true if they happen to have a visible health condition. So when sweet Arlo was surrendered to Cats Protection’s Bridgend Adoption Center in south Wales, staff there worried that he wouldn’t find a new owner. But that all changed when the little tabby met his perfect match…
Arlo was given to the shelter after his first family decided to move into an apartment that didn’t allow cats. For whatever reason, the previous owners were unable to secure new accommodation that was pet-friendly. So the unlucky special needs feline had to bid farewell to his family and be taken into care.
Yes, his former family decided to send their little tabby to live at the charity’s Bridgend shelter in Wales. Presumably it was a course of action they didn’t want to have to take, but the rules of their new rented home forbade residents from having pets. At least they didn’t release him into the wild to fend for himself!
Arlo probably felt extremely confused in his new home away from the only family he’d ever known, but the young tabby soon adjusted to shelter life. The staff quickly learned there was something special about this feline. “Arlo is an absolute sweetheart, and he’s charmed all the staff at the centre,” shelter manager Sue Dobbs said.
Some cats are natural sweeties, and Arlo by all accounts is one such furball. “He may look a bit different from other cats, but he’s got a lot of love to give, and is full of fun and mischief,” Dobbs said. The tabby has hydrocephalus, which is a condition where there’s an overabundance of fluid in the brain: the retained liquid gives Arlo his unique head shape.
When he was admitted, the staff sent Arlo for a checkup. At the vet, they gave him a thorough exam and determined that despite his hydrocephalus, Arlo was a healthy feline. “We’re not able to tell what has caused Arlo’s facial deformity. But it doesn’t seem to be causing him a problem at the moment,” Dobbs said.
Though Arlo seemed healthy, Dobbs admitted he may have underlying issues — especially since the vet couldn’t determine the cause of his hydrocephaly. These potential problems could impact Arlo’s health, cutting into his life expectancy. When Arlo was eligible for adoption, Cat Protection’s Bridgend shelter made sure this information was included.
Dobbs and the rest of the staff were worried his potential health problems would hurt Arlo’s chances at finding a new family. “We really hope this won’t put off prospective owners, as Arlo is such a lovely cat and deserves a happy and loving home,” Dobbs said.
But Cat Protection’s Bridgend crew didn’t have to worry for long. Once they posted the cutie to their adoption Facebook page, commenters were losing their minds for little Arlo. It’s incredibly heartwarming to see how many people didn’t mind about Arlo’s health issues. All they saw was a sweet cat who needed a home.
Happily there were so many people who were interested in adopting Arlo that the shelter had plenty of amazing homes to choose between for the tabby. Yet in the end the lucky person who took him home wasn’t a part of the cat-loving Facebook mob converging on the adoption center’s social media page.
In fact, the guy was actually planning to take home an older cat. “I live alone in a little rural cottage and thought it would be ideal for an older cat,” Davy said. “But my friends began to tag me in posts from Cats Protection, about this little cat with additional needs.”
Arlo’s Facebook photos — and some gentle prodding from his friends — were the motivation Davy needed to meet the one-year-old cat. When the two met, there was an immediate spark. Arlo had a special greeting for Davy. “He approached and gave me a lick, and I took that as a sign that we made a match,” Davy said.
“Just the first glance of him made me fall in love,” Davy said. And Arlo dos indeed seem to have that effect on people. As the wise Dua Lipa once said, “One kiss is all it takes / Fallin’ in love with me.” The tabby should make this his theme song.
Besides his adorable nature, there’s another reason Davy and Arlo had such a strong connection: Davy’s day job. He’s a social worker who assists disabled children. Now Davy’s using his caregiving skills to be a dad for a disabled cat. The two seemed destined to find one another.
When Arlo first arrived home with Davy, he was a bit uncomfortable in his new space. “He’s very shy and nervous still, and doesn’t like loud noises. But he’s so loving,” Davy said. “His personality is amazing. He’s such a character.” The furball also discovered how much he likes cuddling on Davy’s lap.
Davy started an Instagram for Arlo, @theartfularlo, where he’s been posting plenty of cat updates. “I just thought I would give you all a little update. Arlo has settled very well … He’s a big fan of cuddling, watching Netflix!” he wrote. The disabled cat seems to have landed in a kingdom of loving care.
Davy isn’t the only person with whom Arlo is obsessed. During his first post-rescue trip to the vet, he gave everyone little kitty hugs. Can you imagine being a vet tech and then your feline patient gives you a hug? Too cute. It’s especially impressive given that most cats seem to despise outings to the vets.
Besides hugging people at the vet, Arlo has other adorable quirks, including chasing Davy around the house. When Davy heads to bed, Arlo tries to beat him there. Arlo also loves his dad’s slippers: he steals them and cuddles with them in his cat bed. It’s all great Instagram material!
At his forever home, Arlo is an only cat, so he’s extremely spoiled. He doesn’t have to share Davy with anyone else, he has his own aquarium, and he can sleep on a windowsill and watch birds. And after a rough day of, well, being a cat, Arlo always finds his place in Davy’s lap.
Since Arlo is such a cuddler, he sleeps beside Davy at night. In the mornings, Davy is greeted with loud purrs from his feline friend. Arlo might have had a rough beginning but it looks as though he’s living his best life now! Both Davy and his wonderful cat have a lifetime of cuddles in prospect.
And if you’re looking for the perfect cat, there’s a chance they’re already waiting for you at your local shelter. Stop by and see for yourself. Some believe that adopted cats seem extra-loving, compared to cats from a breeder — they’re somehow more aware that fate has smiled on them again.
