If you think of a Truffle, you might think of a rare, prized delicacy, something to be treasured. Likewise, Truffle, the pretty tortoiseshell cat, is a treasure, say rescuers from Stray Cat Relief in South Philadelphia. A purrfect cat in every way, Truffle sadly returned to the shelter after a year and a half with her adopted family.
Note: At the time of this writing, Truffle and many other wonderful cats have been waiting for a home for months or even as much as 3 years!
Images, media via Stray Cat Relief, Facebook.
Originally, the rescuers saved the 8-year-old FIV+ cat from an alley with a bad respiratory infection and dental problems. But after surgery and lots of TLC, she recovered and thrived.
“When Truffle first came off the streets and into foster care, we were convinced she was just a teenage kitten who caught a bad cold,” they shared.
Foster dad with Truffle. Images, media via Stray Cat Relief, Facebook.
“Turns out, the vet estimates this gorgeous tortie to be about 8 years old. It’s hard to imagine she spent her whole life on the street because she is SO sweet and cuddly. If you’re looking for a lap cat, look no further!”
She’s a beautiful tortoiseshell cat and everything one could want in a feline companion. As you can see in the video below, she’s sweet, cuddly, and friendly with everyone. So, why would someone give her back and not treasure her?
A Permanent Place For A Truffle
“Double underline PERMANENT,” shared Stray Cat Relief as they searched for the right home for Truffle. [She] is the sweetest girl, she doesn’t deserve to be bounced around. She needs a new home or a foster ASAP. She is great with other cats & such a cuddle bug. Please share or reach out if this speaks to your heart 💜”
Why Did Someone Return Truffle?
So, why did Truffle’s family return her? According to the rescuers, it was due to “everyone’s favorite reason,”; allergies. As you can imagine, there was much outrage in the comments. We don’t know the circumstances of this family’s situation; sometimes, allergies can be severe, while other times they are manageable.
Some offered suggestions about handling allergies if you have a cat.
“I have allergies, and I have two [cats]. Honestly, if you vacuum frequently, have an air purifier and keep them off your pillows, it’s pretty manageable, I would think, but what do I know?! 🤣” one person wrote.
Others recommended keeping antihistamines on hand for guests who are allergic. We’ve previously reported that a “HypoCat vaccine” could soon become available, which could neutralize allergens after treating cats. (not humans). Reports suggested it could be available as soon as 2024, so right around the corner. If it works safely, this could help ten percent of the human population who suffer from cat allergies.
Saliba, the Swiss company developing the HypoCat vaccine, says that allergies are the leading cause of cat abandonment. Hopefully, that will change one day soon.
Truffle Gets a Second Chance
In a Truffle update, Stray Cat Relief shared that she received medical care and met a new friend in her foster home.
“It’s taken her some time, but she’s finally warmed up & comfortable with her foster family!! This is their first time fostering with us and we’re so happy they gave her a chance. We know so many of you fell in love with her from this heartbreaking story!”
Are You Looking For a Truffle?
Recently, the rescuers shared a picture of Truffle among a group of “wonderful kitties who have been waiting for a home close to a year now, some even 2 or 3 years!” You can find more about these cats waiting for homes on Stray Cat Relief’s Facebook page here.
“♥️ TRUFFLE: our gorgeous torti lady who was returned to us after a year due to allergies in the home. She’s as sweet as pie and gets along well with other kitties after proper introductions.”
Stray Cat Relief tells us that Truffle’s FIV+ status may be why she hasn’t been scooped up yet. But FIV+ cats are awesome, including our own Marmalade. You can learn much more about why adopting an FIV+ cat is a great idea in our many articles on the subject.
“She’s healthy now! She is fiv positive so she’s been getting little interest. She is living happily with four other kitties. She is so sweet and loving,” Amy wrote us.
There’s more about Truffle on the rescuer’s website.
You can follow Stray Cat Relief on Facebook, and on Instagram.
