A nine-year-old cat has spent more than 250 days waiting for a forever home after arriving at Battersea as a stray, and staff are hoping someone will give him the happy ending he deserves.
Bugsy, a domestic shorthair, arrived at the rescue in December and has now spent more than eight times longer waiting for a home than the average cat at Battersea. While other cats have arrived and quickly found their families, Bugsy has remained patiently waiting for someone to see just how special he is.
Loving personality unchanged
Despite spending months in the rescue, staff say the long wait hasn't changed his loving personality. Bugsy is described as "incredibly affectionate" and loves greeting familiar faces with a gentle head bump or leaning in for a much-loved chin rub.
Although he is an older cat, he certainly hasn't lost his playful side. Bugsy enjoys chasing string toys, exploring cardboard boxes and finding little ways to entertain himself throughout the day. He is just as happy curling up on a warm lap for a snooze as he is playing with his favourite toys, making him the perfect combination of playful and cuddly.
Hoping for a happy ending
Battersea staff are now hoping his 250-day wait will soon come to an end and that someone will give him the chance to show what a wonderful companion he can be. After spending so long watching other cats come and go, Bugsy deserves a family of his own where he can enjoy his golden years surrounded by love and comfort.
Anyone interested in rehoming Bugsy can register their interest with Battersea's rehoming team by emailing cat.rehoming@battersea.org.uk or visiting Battersea's website.
Rehoming process
If you're interested in giving Bugsy a home, or any other animals in their care, the first step is to register your details through Battersea's online form. The form asks questions about your current living situation, lifestyle and what you're looking for in a pet, helping the team work out whether Battersea is the right place for you to rehome a cat.
It's worth noting that registering isn't an application for a specific cat. Instead, Battersea uses more than 160 years of experience to match people with the pet that best suits their circumstances and needs.
Once you've completed the form, you'll receive a confirmation email to let you know your details have been received. The team will then begin looking for the right match, taking into account both your answers and what they know about each individual cat in their care. This process can take some time, but Battersea says it is time well spent when it comes to finding the right home for each animal.
If they can't match you with a cat within three months, they'll get in touch with advice on how to continue your search. And if the team thinks they've found a potential match, they'll contact you to arrange a call with one of their rehoming experts, who will discuss a few more details with you. From there, you'll be invited to meet your potential new pet - and, if everything goes well, begin the exciting process of welcoming them into your home.
Battersea also provides advice and support throughout the rehoming process to help your new cat settle into their new surroundings.
