Adopting a pet in need of a forever home is a heartwarming act that shows compassion and kindness.
While some people may seek the ‘perfect’ rescue cat or dog, others, like this Reddit user (referred to as OP) look beyond appearances to provide love and care to animals facing unique challenges.
In a recent post on the ‘Am I the A*****e’ online community, OP sought advice after rescuing Stargazer, an abused kitty with no eyes, three legs, and black fur, only to face opposition from family members.
A heartwarming rescue story:
OP took to Reddit to write about his heartwarming rescue story, saying that he has a cat named Stargazer, and that he’d adopted her three years prior. “She was abused and as a result has no eyes and only three legs. Nobody wanted to adopt her because of her deformities, and she’s also a black cat, so I did because she was going to be euthanized otherwise,” he shared.
Despite Stargazer’s challenging past, the OP provided her with a loving home. However, when his sister and brother-in-law visited, their reaction to the cat created unexpected tension. “My sister moved into my city this week, and her and her husband (both 43) needed someone to watch the kids since they were gonna have a grown-up celebrate party. I agreed,” he explained.
“Both my nieces are 11, so they’re not too little for me to handle, and I’d also be great enrichment for my cat since she loves children and women (I’m the only man she trusts). My nieces loved her, and while they first were a little scared, they thought she was cute after a while,” OP continued.
The turning point occurred when the sister saw Stargazer at the door and reacted negatively, labeling the cat as “demonic.” This led to an ultimatum from the brother-in-law: either the cat goes, or they won’t visit again.
Challenges faced by the OP
OP faced a pretty complex challenge — the negative perception of his cat by family members. His sister’s extreme reaction, labeling Stargazer as “demonic,” goes to show how damaging prejudices can be, and also how important is it to show some empathy.
This incident only goes to show that some people have limitations when it comes to seeing beyond appearances. OP’s sister’s judgmental reaction only shows that this prejudice sadly extend beyond people as well. Imagine applying such harsh judgments to a blind person with physical disabilities; it would be considered rude and offensive!
Caring for rescue pets:
Before adopting a pet, potential owners should ask local shelters for help on the specific needs of rescue animals. Understanding an animal’s background and character will help pet owners provide suitable care.
Creating a comfortable and secure home environment is important, it involves placing litterboxes in quiet areas, providing essential amenities like food and water bowls, and offering grooming tools and toys for entertainment.
Owners must prioritize love, care, and attention while cat-proofing their homes to minimize potential hazards. As Stargazer’s story shows, rescue pets can thrive in supportive environments that prioritize their well-being.
Readers’ reactions:
The story generated a range of reactions from readers, with most saying they were disappointed at the sister’s response. Some people were also concerned about Stargazer’s safety, suggesting OP keep the cat away from family members who were hostile.
“OP, make sure you TAKE ALL PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT YOUR KITTEN, because the next time they come, they may get rid of her as they consider her ‘demonic,’ and say that ‘accidents’ happen or ‘mysteriously’ your kitty ends up disappearing or getting lost, or being poisoned, etc,” warned one commenter.
Another highlighted the importance of maintaining distance from family members who were unkind, saying: “You are better off with the cat close by and those particular humans at a distance. Visit them or agree to see them in public places. Don’t even have the kids unsupervised around the kitty, since who knows what their parents are saying to them that might brainwash them into thinking they need to do something drastic.”
What do you think about this situation? Let us know in the comments!