A cat that spent five years fending for itself before being found covered in cooking oil from scavenging in takeaway bins is ready for a new home.
Tiffany Dodd, 52, from Altrincham, runs her own cat rescue and rehabilitation service and recently took in a cat she named Cupcake.
Cupcake is thought to have ‘endured years of rejection and hardship’ alongside another cat, which has been named Doughnut.
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“They did everything together and were never more than a few metres apart,” Tiffany told the M.E.N.
“Doughnut was the front man on the streets. He protected Cupcake.
“They spent five years fending for themselves after being abandoned as kittens.”
Sadly, Doughnut recently passed away and Cupcake has now been left grief-stricken at losing his best friend.
When Cupcake arrived in Tiffany’s care, he was in a ‘matted’ state and covered in oil.
“Cupcake was covered in old, rubbery cooking oil,” Tiffany explained.
“I’m sure this is from scavenging for food in the restaurant bins.
“He pulled out his matted fur himself, which has left him bald and thinning in areas.
“This has also affected his mouth and he has developed inflammation under his tongue. This is healing well and he can now close his mouth fully and is no longer drooling.”
Tiffany believes Cupcake, who she thinks is around six years old, was trapped or released at some point as he has a tipped ear and has previously been neutered.
She has spent three months looking after Cupcake, including getting him microchipped and wormed.
Tiffany has also taken him on multiple trips to the vets.
“Cupcake had a very runny nose when he arrived,” Tiffany said.
“This is continually improving and now is very slight - I think this will clear completely.
“He eats well and digestion is perfect.
“He hasn’t had his vaccinations as there is a shortage and only kittens are being done at the moment.”
Cupcake had to have two fangs removed and his gums, teeth and ear tips will need to monitored.
She said Cupcake is now ‘looking for someone who will always be there for him’.
“Cupcake is ruggedly handsome," Tiffany said.
“Cupcake really needs mothering until his confidence grows. He is very gentle but is still skittish.
“He is adapting to life without Doughnut, living in a house, being around people who care and not just thinking of survival.
“He loves being patted whilst on your lap, really enjoys his food and has been as good as gold. He is so quiet at night and just generally a little diamond.
“I don’t think he’ll be like other street cats I’ve had, who are quickly confident with other cats. He could do with a gentle cat friend who also needs a buddy. He’s a sensitive soul.”
Tiffany said she felt that Cupcake would need to have both indoors and outdoors access and to live in a home with a garden away from a main road.
She added: “I think Cupcake could live with children that are old enough to understand cat body language and to be gentle, quiet and understanding especially for the first couple of months as he settles into his new home.”
Anyone interested in rehoming Cupcake can email Tiffany on tiffanydodd@ntlworld.com .
