The little face in the window said it all. T-Belle had been waiting for such a long time. When would it be her turn to find a loving home? When would that special someone come by who would look into her eyes and see the sweet soul inside? T-Belle had so much love to give; she just needed someone to love her back…….
T-Belle’s unique journey with the SPCA began when she was surrendered to the La Baie SPCA in 2016 and adopted in 2017. She had a loving home for 6 years but in April 2023 she was surrendered again when her family was moving overseas and was not able to take her with them. La Baie is foster-based so T-Belle was placed in the care of one of the amazing SPCA foster parents who have opened their hearts and homes to animals in need.
Approximately 10 years old at the time, T-Belle never let the challenges life threw at her get in her way. She looked a bit different than other cats, as she is missing part of her tongue and had all her teeth removed. But this never hindered T-Belle’s ability to eat; she could eat softened kibbles and wet food with ease. She was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism but always took her meds like a champ. A treatment plan was developed to set up T-Belle and her future adoptive family for success. Her fur should be white, but it had a golden hue from a unique chemical in her saliva. Despite her condition, T-Belle had always taken pride in grooming herself. Everyone who met T-Belle agreed that she is a sweet friendly feline whose heart is as golden as her fur!
T-Belle was put up for adoption in July 2023 and over the next 7 months, waited patiently for a forever home while in the loving care of her foster mom Su. In March 2024, T-Belle journeyed up to the Kings SPCA where more people could see how sweet she was and her chances of being adopted would increase.
The SPCA makes every effort to place special needs pets with their perfect human match. As it turns out, T-Belle had caught the eye of her perfect match Paulette back in the fall of 2023. Paulette’s beloved cat Major had recently passed away and it was too soon for her to think about adopting a new cat. Paulette noticed T-Belle was still up for adoption in February 2024 and again in April. It tugged at Paulette’s heartstrings to see that T-Belle hadn’t found a loving home yet.
Paulette said “It just so happened that I was going to be in the Kentville area for an appointment one day in April, so I went to the Kings shelter to see T-Belle. When I arrived in the parking lot, I saw a white puff in the window. I was quite sure it was T-Belle and it was!”
“When I met T-Belle, she was very friendly and sweet,” recalled Paulette. “She jumped up on my lap immediately and purred continuously. I visited her on another occasion and she did exactly the same thing. What drew me to her was the fact that she was so sweet and had still not been adopted. I knew that having some special needs might make T-Belle less likely to get adopted. The SPCA did a great job of explaining what would be entailed in T-Belle’s care and I knew I would be able to do it. She had found her forever home.”
T-Belle is definitely living her best life. Paulette explained “She seems very happy and purrs a lot. She’s blossomed into a chatter-box and makes cute little meows as well as chirps and trills. Her favorite thing to do is to lie on the loveseat, sunbathe and watch the birds. She’s also a great snuggle-bug! Toy-wise, she loves to play with toys that move. Occasionally, she’ll get the ‘zoomies’ in the middle of the night and broad-jump over me.”
In terms of caring for T-Belle, Paulette said “I only need to do little things for her here and there. She eats a special diet for food sensitivity. I mash up her soft food and add water to her kibble and soak it for some time due to her having no teeth. She is very good at taking her thyroid pill with food twice a day. She enjoys grooming herself and loves being brushed. She needs a little extra attention with kitty wipes and occasional baths to keep her coat fresh and clean due to staining. She’s not crazy about being bathed but seems to mind it less over time. She definitely loooooooves being wrapped up in a towel after her bath – she purrs and purrs!”
Paulette said she is grateful to everyone at the SPCA for giving T-Belle a second chance at happiness. She also wanted to give special thanks to Su, T-Belle’s fabulous foster mom. “Su was always so helpful; she answered the many questions I had about T-Belle, her history and care,” related Paulette.
Adopting T-Belle has definitely enriched Paulette’s life. She explained “T-Belle has brought much enjoyment with her sweet personality and she is a wonderful companion” Paulette encourages everyone to consider adopting a special needs pet. “You need to be sure it’s right for you and it could be challenging if it’s your first-ever cat. I had had several cats before so felt comfortable adopting T-Belle. These pets may need some extra time and patience, but they deserve a chance to show you how amazing they are. It’s one of the most rewarding things you can do.”
Understanding the commitment involved in adopting a special needs pet is crucial to a happy and healthy relationship. There are important things to consider before adopting a pet with special needs.
Think about any long-term dietary requirements, special medications or treatments your pet will need. Pets with behavioral needs may need special training; those with mobility challenges may need therapy or surgery. Ensure you can fit these costs into your family’s budget.
- Your pet may need medications/injections at specific times of day. Ensure you’re available to do this.
- Talk with your family about the challenges that come with adopting a special needs pet and ensure everyone’s onboard.
- Your pet may need more frequent vet visits. Pets with an injury or physical disability may need assistance with standing or walking. Some may need you to physically accompany them outside for bathroom breaks, as opposed to simply being let out.
The Nova Scotia SPCA makes every effort to place special needs pets with their perfect human match. Before deciding to adopt, speak to shelter staff or volunteer since they’re familiar with the animal and consult with your vet to get a good understanding of the pet’s ongoing requirements. Whatever the pet’s special needs, the SPCA will be there before and after adopting to support you by providing information and advice.