Big Foot needs a loving home that can measure up t his special needs

A TRAGIC cat who has been shot, homeless and now suffers an incurable health condition is looking for a life-long companion to finally show him the love he deserves.

Big Foot was taken in as a stray by Woodside Animal Welfare Trust at Elfordleigh this summer after being found in a poor condition on Plymouth’s streets.

Aptly named Big Foot by staff because of an extra digit on his front paws, medical checks revealed an airgun pellet lodged in the friendly feline’s leg, which has since been successfully removed by the charity’s vet.

Tests also showed that Big Foot has Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), an incurable health condition which weakens his immune system and makes him more susceptible to illness.

Since arriving at the sanctuary, Big Foot, who is white with tabby markings, has been on medication to control the FIV and treat any related health problems, and is now ready to be rehomed under a fostering arrangement.

Sanctuary manager Helen Lecointe explained that fostering rather than adoption was the best option for Big Foot as this would enable the charity to work with his foster carer to monitor his health and provide any necessary treatment.

“If Big Foot has any health problems resulting from his condition we will treat it back here under our vet, so the new home will not be taking on a big financial responsibility,” Helen said.

She added: “He is a lovely cat who has been through so much and has come out the other side. He loves attention so is getting distressed in a cattery environment. He wants to be with people.

“We do need to be careful and make sure we find the right home for him.”

This will be a home in the Plymouth area, Helen explained, as Big Foot needs to be close to the sanctuary should any health problems occur, and brought back twice a year for checks.

He will need to be kept indoors to avoid spreading FIV to other cats and also reduce the risk of Big Foot picking up other illnesses, and has to be the only cat in the home.

Helen said FIV is mainly passed from cat to cat through deep bite wounds or, less commonly, from an FIV-infected mother cat to her kittens. The virus poses no risk to humans or other species of animal.

By having cats neutered, she said owners were helping to reduce the spread.

“For every stray, we see FIV in about 30 per cent of cats,” Helen said. “We tend to see it more in males. Males fight more when they are not neutered, which can pass on FIV. Being neutered doesn’t automatically stop a cat fighting but it helps.”

She also urged owners to make sure their cats are microchipped so that, should they go missing, they can be returned home.

Big Foot has now been neutered and will be microchipped before moving on to his new home where staff are sure he will leave a big paw print on the heart of his carer.

“He is a friendly cat and he would be a great companion for someone, he is very sweet,” Helen said.

For more information on Big Foot contact Woodside Animal Welfare Sanctuary on 01752 347503 or email generalenquiries@woodsidesanctuary.org.uk. To find out more about animals in need of a home visit www.woodsidesanctuary.org.uk or find the sanctuary on Facebook.