Kala
In 2019, I went to India for an extended stay, during which I planned to learn Hindi and collect some materials for my thesis on regional folk music. During that time, I lived in a small town in the Himalayas and attended daily Hindi classes. One day, during our tea break, I was sipping chay while chatting with my fellow students and teachers. At some point, we all heard a weird screeching sound. Soon after, I saw a tiny kitten walking on the street.
The area was full of monkeys and stray dogs, so we quickly brought the tiny one into the schoolyard yard. Someone drove to a nearby shop to fetch some milk. Everyone was quite enchanted, but the tea break was quickly ending.
I have always had a soft spot for cats and wanted one. However, since I lived in a small flat and liked travelling, I never decided to adopt one. “I just need a cat to turn up and force me to take her in,” I used to joke frequently. I guess the Universe took it a bit too seriously! Anyway, 15 minutes later, I was texting my landlord that I’d like to bring this kitten to my temporary apartment “just for a couple of days.”
I packed the cat in a cardboard box and brought her to my flat. She was extremely sweet and immediately started climbing on my clothes. She was cuddling a lot. Soon, I went on a quest to organise her a litter box (cardboard box full of old newspapers), some edible food (dry Whiskas and hard-boiled eggs) and a couple of toys (clothes clips and strings from my photo camera). I had to improvise, but it was OK; after all the cat was staying just for a day or two. In the meantime, I asked the locals if perhaps anyone was looking for a missing kitten or would like to take one. But I had little luck. Or maybe I did.
After about a week, my friend informed me she found a place for the cat. At this moment, I burst out crying and decided I was taking her to the UK, no matter what. It was a lengthy and quite complicated process. I had to change some plans and skip many hikes. But a couple of months later, and literally days before the border started closing because of COVID-19, I proudly stepped onto British land, carrying Kala in a carrier. I got officially adopted.
Oscar
Like many migrants, after moving to the UK, I had my care industry episode while trying to finance my studies. Over that time, I got a regular home where I used to work with my ex-partner. It was a quiet residential area full of outdoor cats regularly frequenting the backyard garden. But one of these cats was massively different. He looked and acted weirdly. He was way jumpier and more skittish than the others and also way more aggressive towards fellow felines.
As the cat looked dirty and skinny, we quickly started feeding him, believing he might be a stray. Initially hesitant and suspicious, he gradually warmed up a bit and started coming for food more often. With time, his visits became more frequent and longer as we developed friendships. Around that time, we started investigating whether the cat was owned.
After a short time, we found Oscar’s owner and learned a bit more about his history. It turned out he used to be a beloved cat of his then-owner mom’s. Sadly, the lady passed away, making the cat extremely sad and depressed. Then, partly to cheer Oscar up, the family brought a new cat in. Unfortunately, they did not click together, and instead of improving Oscar’s well-being, the situation quickly led to him developing issues with territorial anxiety. He literally decided not to live in his house any longer, popping in only for food every couple of days. He lived his semi-stray life ever since.
Since Oscar was technically owned, we couldn’t just take him. Instead, we continued feeding and spending time with him as he became our regular workplace assistant. Around two years passed like this, and then suddenly, we ran into Oscar’s owner, who suggested she knew the cat would be happier with us. That was not something I had to be told twice! Even though Kala was already in the picture, we decided to take Oscar in and give him a proper home.
Joanna
I’m happily adopted by my two amazing cats, Kala and Oscar. They are my best feline teachers; all I learned about cats over the last five years, I learned thanks to them. Because of Kala’s initial skittishness and Oscar’s problems with territorial anxiety, I started educating myself intensely on the cat’s behavioural needs. I quickly discovered the crucial importance of environmental enrichment and intellectual stimulation. Even when I might be on a budget or live in small spaces, I always provide my cats with various activities, including leash walking and clicker training.
Since I got adopted, I have also had a chance to work with other cats. As Kala and I had to wait in India for the moment she could travel, I volunteered at an organisation helping starving dogs and cats. Then, upon my return, I started freelancing as a cat sitter, which I have always found extremely fulfilling.
I started this blog to promote responsible and conscious cat guardianship. I find it extremely sad that cats, with all their unique needs and quirks, are still too often perceived as “low-maintenance” animals. Together with Kala and Oscar, we want to promote the message that only an active cat can be a happy cat!