Written by Melissa Roos
Professional photography by Chasing Light Photography
It all started with a post from CAAA (Capetonians Against Animal Abuse) featuring the sweetest-looking little man with the most beautiful blue eyes...Talk about love at first sight!
The caption read:
“This sweet and affectionate boy is Nova, a 4-year-old Siamese x Domestic Shorthair mix who is looking for his forever home!
With his striking blue eyes and loving personality, Nova is the perfect companion for someone looking for a gentle and affectionate cat.
Personality: Loving, cuddly, and friendly.
Currently in foster care – needs a forever home."
Loving, cuddly and friendly? What more could one ask for in a cat?
But of course, we had a few things to consider: Would he get along with our four-year-old daughter? And how would he fit in with our two existing furry ladies?
Our daughter, Remy, was overjoyed at the thought of adopting him. The moment we showed her his picture, she named him Mr Whiskery and began talking about him as though he were already part of the family.
So we arranged to meet him.
Our visit was set for Saturday, 15th of March, at Thomasina Cattery in Joostenberg Vlakte, where he was being lovingly fostered by Carina and her team. When we arrived, there he was – a little shy at first, but so gentle and sweet. Remy brought along a kitty toy, and Mr Whiskery happily joined in, chasing and pouncing with delight. They played together for a good half an hour, and it was clear that a special bond had already formed.
My husband and I fell for him too – he was affectionate, playful, and just a joy to be around. A week later, we returned to fetch him and bring him home.
We followed the advice from Sura at CAAA on how to manage the introduction with our other cats. At first, Mr Whiskery stayed in one room, while our existing cats remained in their usual spaces. We did scent swapping, exchanging blankets between rooms to help them get used to each other’s smells. Mealtimes were done at the door, so they could smell but not see one another. Gradually, we progressed to visual introductions through a glass door, and eventually, supervised time together while eating and playing.
Within just two weeks, Mr Whiskery was snuggled up on the bed with Bella and Meiko. Bella, another rescue from CAAA, quickly bonded with him – they’re both young and energetic, and love chasing each other around the house. Meiko, our older cat, is more reserved, but she gives him a polite greeting now and then, especially when food’s involved.
Having Mr Whiskery in our lives has been a true blessing. He’s incredibly affectionate, wonderfully playful, and so loving. Remy often tucks him up in a little blanket, and he loves being close to her. It’s been beautiful to watch their relationship blossom. If you have a young child and are considering adopting a cat, it’s essential to ensure both your child and the cat are comfortable with each other – a happy match makes all the difference.
Mr Whiskery truly feels like he’s been part of the family forever. We’re deeply grateful to Carina and Leandrè at Thomasina Cattery for taking such wonderful care of him, and Sura and the CAAA team for their kindness and guidance throughout the adoption process.
He’s brought so much love, energy, and companionship into our home – and we couldn’t imagine life without him.
