The leaves lost their green hue turning yellow. The clothes became warmer. A new building opened its doors to the community.
And Nacho still waited for his family.
The now one-year-old tabby kitten came into the Pictou SPCA shelter as a stray in July 2024. He had some medical issues that needed attention, but with the necessary love and care, Nacho was ready to make his big debut.
But time passed and he was still here. He even got to say goodbye to the old Pictou shelter and welcome the new North Nova SPCA.
Until a day at the beginning of November 2024 when the door to the cat room he was in opened. Immediately, Nacho had a cat feeling about the person on the threshold. “I walked into the viewing room; the other cat ran away, and he threw himself at my feet and lay there gazing up at me. I picked him up and got lots of purring and cuddles. He was definitely the one,” his mom, Jean, remarked about their first meeting.
And so, after months in the shelter, Nacho went home. 
A home with another cat, Squirrel. And it was that first meeting between the two of them that Jean was a little worried about. Nacho was ready to play from the start, already comfortable in his new house. Squirrel on the other hand wasn’t too sure about this new roommate. But Nacho decided he wasn’t going to let that deter him. With a lot of perseverance, Nacho succeeded. And a few days later, he made Squirrel his best friend and got himself a new name, Astrophe aka the Cat-Astrophe.
And their bond only continued to strengthen in the following weeks. “Astrophe followed me everywhere (he still does) so was always at risk of being stepped on. A couple of weeks after he arrived, I accidentally stepped on his tail. Within seconds Squirrel was in the doorway glaring at me for hurting his friend.”
A few months after Astrophe found his perfect home, he continued to show his true personality. “He is one ADHD kitty. He tears around the house with his favourite toy- a black twist tie- until he collapses in an exhausted heap. But if I leave the room, he has to come with me no matter how tired he is. He’s the most loving cat I’ve ever had. He loves to come and snuggle and if he misses his cuddle time one day he makes up for it the next. He hasn’t changed at all,” Jean described him.
And he is also an expert cuddler, loving his morning routine with his person, moments that Jean has come to treasure. And she is ready to make even more memories with him and Squirrel. “Can’t wait to take him to the cottage this summer. There’s birds and squirrels and chipmunks to watch from the screen room. Even bears sometimes. And mice to chase inside.”
Until then, Astrophe continues doing some of his favourite things like playing with Squirrel, watching birds at the bird feeder, chewing the shower curtain, and climbing into grocery bags. “Our favourite play activity is rolling a ball around the floor. We also sweep floors together and he helps me make beds by climbing under the sheets,” Jean added.
It might not have been a long time since Astrophe joined the family, but they already don’t remember a time before him. Obviously, there’s more fur to sweep and Jean always has to look down before moving – a lesson learned – but Astrophe is home where he belongs. 
He was a long-termer at the North Nova Shelter, patiently waiting. Yet he never lost hope. A new season came and went by and with it the opportunity for a new beginning. We think of spring as the rebirth season, but change can happen anytime and it can be a good thing.
A lesson Astrophe took in stride and made sure to not waste a second enjoying his new start with his perfect family.
And there are other pets just like Astrophe waiting for their new season change at our shelters across the province. You can visit them or take a peek at our website.
And if one steals your heart, Jean has a bit of great advice for any future adopters, “Ask a lot of questions. Get as much background information as you can. If you can, pay several visits and make sure the pet will fit your lifestyle. And the biggest one, let the pet choose you.”