AN APPEAL has been made to find a new home for a cat from the Reading area who has heart disease.
Cats Protection is hoping the adopters will give Frankie, a tabby, lots of play and affection while helping him enjoy being a cat.
Frankie has Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), one of the most common heart diseases seen in cats, which causes thickening of the walls of the heart’s muscles. The disease causes a rapid heartbeat, less volume in the heart chamber and decreased oxygen flow to the heart muscle which decreases its efficiency over time.
Unfortunately, there is no known cure for HCM but Frankie’s condition has been caught early meaning that with regular monitoring and, when eventually needed, appropriate medication, he can continue to enjoy his life as he does now.
Cats Protection says he has had a rocky start in life with the death of one owner and another having to give him up because their landlord did not allow pets, adding that the affectionate three-year-old does not let his heart disease dilute his enthusiasm.
Will, Frankie’s fosterer, added: “Frankie is quick to endear himself to you and absolutely loves people. He will sit on your lap, have a tickle behind the ears and purr the day away.
“He is incredibly well-behaved and uses his litter tray with no mess. He doesn’t mind being picked up, but will wriggle if held for too long.
“Remarkably, he is easy to put in a carrier and relaxed about the process.”
He continues: “When we go into his pen, he loves to rub against us and get a head scratch.
“Occasionally he likes to give a gentle little nip which causes no pain and it’s usually to remind you to continue if you stop stroking him.
“Frankie is a very happy and lovely cat.”
The charity says Frankie, who has a white tip to his tail, would be well-suited to most home environments although it is not known how he would feel about other pets, especially other cats, as he likes to graze on his food rather than eat it in one go and may not wish to share.
He would enjoy the stimulation of a safe garden where he can explore and indulge his curious nature.
Frankie’s heart condition means he will need heart scans as well as preventative vet care and eventually treatment, which the branch can discuss with any potential adopters.
Cats Protection’s Reading & District Branch Welfare Officer, Nicole, says: “We know it’s a big ask in the current climate to invite somebody to take on a cat who will certainly need ongoing vet care.
“No cat is immune from the need to visit the vet and in Frankie’s case we already know that he has heart disease so it will not be a surprise diagnosis.
“He is a young, vibrant, loving cat who has so much to give a new family. His heart condition is very early in its progress and we are happy to talk through any concerns potential adopters may have. We simply want to see this lovely boy in the right, loving home he deserves.”
For more details, log on to: www.cats.org.uk/reading or call: 0118 940 3005.
