A stray cat from Norbury, that was rehomed by the RSPCA, has completed the ultimate act of ‘paying it forward’ by rescuing a poorly stray kitten and bringing him in to share his new home.
Ten-year-old tabby cat, Sidney, was rescued by the RSPCA in September last year after being abandoned and left on the street.
RSPCA animal welfare officer Sarah Henderson, said: “When we first found Sidney he was underweight and suffering from a nasty skin allergy. We took him to RSPCA Wimbledon, Wandsworth and Sutton Branch where he was given some much needed TLC and veterinary care.
“The poor fella wasn’t microchipped and despite our best efforts to trace an owner, no one came forward to claim him.”
Once Sidney was fit and healthy, he was put up for adoption and quickly found a loving home with new owner Katerina Miteva.
Katerina,26, from Norbury, London, said: “I adopted Sidney at the end of October last year, we weren’t sure exactly how old he was, but the vet estimated that he was around 10. The first few days were a bit rocky whilst he settled, but I gave him lots of space and let him establish boundaries. Once he realised that he was safe, he made himself comfortable.
“I had to keep Sidney indoors for the first six weeks so he could get familiar with his new surroundings and not get lost whilst exploring the neighbourhood. On his first venture outside, Sidney rescued a kitten.
“There had been heavy rain that morning, so Sidney waited patiently for the rain to stop before stepping outside. I left the kitchen door open whilst I was cooking so he could wander in and out as he pleased. Once the rain stopped, he disappeared into the garden.
“I carried on cooking and then I remember hearing this ‘meow’ behind me. I turned around to see Sidney standing there, holding something hairy and dripping wet in his mouth. At first I thought he had brought home a dead animal he caught, but then the tiniest squeak came from whatever he was holding in his mouth.”image.png
Katerina soon realised that Sidney had brought a house guest home with him.
She added: “I examined the little thing closer and realised, to my surprise, that Sidney was carrying a really small kitten. I grabbed the nearest kitchen towel and wrapped the kitten in it then took him straight to the vet. I had no idea what else to do, the poor thing was covered in fleas and was shivering violently, barely making any noise.
“Sidney was waiting by the front door when I came back with the kitten a few hours later and kept following me around and sitting next to me or the kitten as if he was keeping watch. The vets weren’t optimistic about the kitten’s survival chances, he was just five weeks old when Sidney found him. But he was a little fighter and with some loving care and under the watchful eye of Sidney he beat the odds and made a full recovery.”
Concerned that someone may be missing their kitten, Katerina tried hard to locate an owner but her efforts were fruitless.
“The vet warned me that this could be a case of someone just getting rid of a kitten they didn’t want,” Katerina continued. “We did search for a possible owner, but no one ever came forward. Sidney and his ward were happy to co-exist, so he stayed with us.
“I often wonder what made Sidney rescue a helpless kitten. Sidney is not what you would call a social cat, he tends to stay away from other cats and he keeps himself to himself. He is as antisocial as I am, which I find funny!
“I like to think that he, just like many other animals, is a good judge of character. I think that despite his reluctance to be around other cats, Sidney is compassionate and knew if he brought the struggling kitten home I would help, just as I had helped him when I rescued him. I’m so proud of him for his act of heroism, the little kitten was unlikely to have survived without his help.
“Attila is young, playful and so full of energy. Sometimes I feel like he is an over enthusiastic golden retriever trapped in the body of a little kitten. Unlike Sidney, he goes out and interacts with other cats, he’s very social and curious – the polar opposite to Sidney. Sidney just comes and meows at me in complaint whenever he’s had enough of kitten antics.”
To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care please visit our website or call our donation line on 0300 123 8181.
