Love came back around for rescuer Kay Mac when she adopted an FIV+ beat-up tomcat with a magnificent name, Sir Thomas Moneycheeks III. Like ours at Cole and Marmalade, one of the rescuer’s missions is to raise awareness that FIV+ cats like Marm, or FIVers as Kay puts it, are wonderful.
Back in December, Kay and many others were gobstruck when she saw Sir Thomas Moneycheeks at PAWS, the Philadelphia Welfare Society. He was a character with signature puffy tomcat cheeks, a “magnificent mush” looking for a foster home. It was love at first sight for the rescuer and many others.
Image via Facebook/ PAWS (Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society)
A Lovable FIV+ Tomcat Captures Hearts
Generally, kittens get the most attention for rescues, but in this case, it was a older kitty in rough shape who drew all the attention. Sure, the tomcat needed some dental work, but he would get it, thanks to PAWS. Meanwhile, the rescue’s followers fell madly in love with the incredibly friendly teddy bear. After sharing his story, PAWS said the “6-year-old hunk broke the internet and stole quite a few hearts.” He soon found a home less than 48 hours later, but not with Kay. She thought she had lost her chance forever.
“Feast your eyes on Sir Thomas Moneycheeks III! Yes, they’re real. And they’re spectacular,” PAWS shared. “This magnificent mush was rescued by PAWS after a community cat trapper found him in rough shape outside. In addition to arriving with an upper respiratory infection, he was found to have severe dental disease, which required several tooth extractions with our medical team yesterday.”
Sir Thomas Moneycheeks III Got Adopted in 48 Hours
When Moneycheeks was ready for a foster home, Kay was grieving the loss of her beloved Lenny. She wasn’t ready to adopt another cat.
The gorgeous pizza-loving orange tabby Lenny helped educate and raise awareness about FIV+ cats in Philly and beyond. Many said they adopted a FIV+ cat after seeing Lenny’s story on social media. But sadly, he passed away in her arms after she gave him the best life. Losing a pet is always devastating, and it takes time to heal.
Then, after time passed, the charismatic tomcat appeared again. She shared the news on the Facebook page, “Taking the Fear out of FIV.“
Kay Lets the Cat Out of the Bag
Recently, the rescuer let the cat out of the bag. After she had some time to let her heart heal, love came back around. Sir Thomas Moneycheeks III’s first adoption didn’t work out, and he needed a new home. It was meant to be, and she brought him home! We’re so happy he found his cuddly way back to Kay and know he’ll have the best life with her.
“I guess it’s time to let the cat out of the bag. I’ve been keeping a secret. Back in December, a fantastic face showed up in my newsfeed, a FIVer available at PAWS (Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society). I inquired about him, but I had just lost Lenny and wasn’t ready for a new family member just yet. He was adopted by someone else, and I thought I’d lost my chance,” she wrote. “Fast forward to February, and that face was back! His other adoption didn’t work out, and he was in a foster home getting some additional medical care. This time I decided my heart was ready.”
The rescuer decided to keep his fabulous name, and will be sharing more of their lives with everyone.
“Thank you so much to PAWS and his foster mom Ana for taking such good care of him. I’m grateful I got another opportunity to bring this sweet guy home. If you’re in the Philly area you may have seen his face in your newsfeed too. Or recognize his name; it’s too fabulous to change. He’s still recovering from his full mouth extraction as a result of stomatitis. But Sir Thomas Moneycheeks and I are ready to start his next chapter together, and to share it with you.”
Now, Moneycheeks is at home and enjoying his life of luxury. You can follow his story on Taking Fear out of FIV on Facebook. You can learn more about life with FIV+ cats in our articles about Marmalade and other cats like Frankie the tabby.
“Moneycheeks hopes your Monday is filled with fun…or at least a yummy breakfast,” Taking Fear out of FIV shared.
Sir Thomas Moneycheeks III in his new home with Kay Mac.
Here’s an informative video by Cole and Marmalade, FIV+ Cats = Positively Adoptable:
