Garfield - a community kitten who found a loving home

Garfield is content, purring and looking at his mum. His home is warm and loving. He is an only child of a couple that adores him. This is far removed from where Garfield, the little community kitten began his life.

Our team received a call from a distressed lady who said there was a trio of kittens that were residing in an abandoned home. This kind lady had been feeding them and had some success in patting one of the kittens, but she did not know what to do and she knew that she could not adopt them.

The lady said that the kittens were more approachable after she fed them, so we decided that she would catch them at breakfast time.

It took two attempts. Two ginger kittens were caught on the first day. The third, a fluffy white kitten was caught on the second day.

Our team travelled to pick up the kittens. We saw the abandoned home, it was an old home with waist high grass and rubbish scattered around the yard. While the team was there, they encountered the neighbours’ dog being walked. This dog had an unprovoked aggressive drive towards people and animals. The kittens were lucky to be alive! Our team quickly and safely placed the kittens in the car and drove off.

The three community kittens were placed together into foster care. They were all very scared, not knowing where they were and not even knowing if they were safe. They took a few days to decompress in their playpen.

Garfield, Matilda and Tigger

One of the ginger kittens was named Garfield. He was shy and fearful of people, but he was beautiful. His brother was the first to stroll out of the enclosure and have the courage to check out his new surroundings. Garfield needed encouragement, but once he was out, he really blossomed. Every animal is different, even in the same litter. Supporting the kittens at their different stages is the key to successful foster care.

Time in the playpen assisted Garfield to mentally decompress, as well as receiving nutritious food, kitten formula, water and getting used to using the kitty litter.

Garfield became inquisitive and agreed to pats. He allowed his foster carers to pick him up. Garfield agreed to picking him up and time held started from a few seconds to a few minutes. He increased his love for play, being around people and he became fond of the resident dog. It was clear that Garfield had created a bond with his foster carers, and he had left his community cat title behind, and he was now domesticated.

A couple fell in love with Garfield and they applied to adopt him. When they visited Garfield in his foster home, it became apparent that this couple was his new parents.

Garfield’s parents say:

“Garfield is delightful and entertaining. He has access to a secure courtyard where he loves lying in the sun and he watches the birds and people passing by. Garfield loves wearing a lead and being walked around the veggie garden outside of the courtyard. He loves to graze on his biscuits, and he takes a sneaky nap on his chair in the living room. But when it’s time for bed, Garfield jumps on the bed to say goodnight to his parents and then puts himself to bed.

Garfield in his home

We do spoil him, but thanks to his foster carers, he was taught good habits. Garfield is just perfect, and we were lucky that he wasn’t from a shelter and that he received lots of love from a tiny kitten – some babies aren’t so lucky.”

Garfield with his mum

Adelaide Pets Alive! is honoured to have had the opportunity to save the life of Garfield and his siblings. We are also very pleased to help a couple that was seeking a kitten companion to join their family.

Happy tails Garfield!