Elderly cat found alone at Cornish holiday park looking for retirement home
12-year-old Ronnie wants to find his forever family
Last updated 18th Feb 2022
An elderly black cat found alone at a holiday park in Cornwall is looking for a new retirement home.
Cat-loving staff from a park in St Austell took pity on the mature moggy, who had been a familiar but elusive figure, and took him to a vet when they noticed his advancing years.
Originally believed to be a female cat by park staff, Ronnie had been seen around the site for over 10 years and had been affectionately called Lily. He was often seen strolling around, venturing to neighbouring fields, and was known for being friendly with the campsite chickens.
Ronnie, thought to be around 12 years old, was taken to St Clement Veterinary Clinic in Truro where the sweet-natured chap was looking worse for wear upon arrival, with sunken eyes and grubby ears. He was also discovered to have hyperthyroidism and bad teeth.
With no microchip to tell the vet team who owned Ronnie, it contacted Cats Protection’s Cornwall Adoption Centre to take him into care and continue his vet treatment, as well as the search for his owner.
Sadly, no owner could be found but he is now in his best health, having had thyroid and dental surgery, and needs a new home of his own.
Adoption Centre Manager, Libby Jepson, explains: “We’re extremely fond of Ronnie here at the centre and very grateful to staff at the holiday park for taking him to the vet. We don’t know the circumstances around how he came to be at the park but it’s worth remembering that cats are creatures of habit who not only need a regular routine to feel comfortable but also need time to adjust to new places and create scent trails to help them navigate. It’s certainly not advised to take cats on holiday.
“We’d also appeal to people never to leave cats to fend for themselves but to take them to your nearest rehoming organisation or vet if you are no longer able to give them the care they need.
“After his ordeal Ronnie was really quite nervy when he first arrived but now he’s settled well and darts in and out of his cabin with excitement when he sees us. He enjoys a good conversation, followed by lots of chin rubs! He is a very characterful boy and will make a truly lovely addition to a home.”
Staff at the centre think Ronnie would be best suited to a home away from busy roads where he can be ‘top cat’ with no other pets or children so that he can shower his new owner with affection.
This year, players of People’s Postcode Lottery are supporting Cats Protection’s advocacy work and helping to cover the costs of looking after cats like Ronnie in the charity’s centres. Their support has funded the care of around 50 cats at the centre in Carnon Downs over the past year.
Cats Protection is campaigning for compulsory microchipping of pet cats across the UK, as is already the case for dogs. In England, the measure is expected to be introduced later this year.
Senior Advocacy & Government Relations Officer, Madison Rogers, adds: “Every day, Cats Protection sees how important microchipping is for cats. We encourage all owners to get their cats chipped to ensure they can be reunited with their beloved pet if they do sadly go missing like Ronnie. Owners also need to ensure the contact details on their cat’s microchip are kept up to date. It just takes a quick call to your cat’s microchip company, or many can be updated online. If you don’t know which company your cat’s chip is registered to, a vet will be able to help”
For further details about Ronnie, Cornwall Adoption Centre and other cats in care visit www.cats.org.uk/cornwall or follow the centre’s updates at www.facebook.com/CornwallAdoptionCentre