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Shelter Cat’s Heart Broke When No One Showed Up to Her Birthday Party

Shelter Cat’s Heart Broke When No One Showed Up to Her Birthday Party

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This fateful story begins with Monique, a beautiful two-year-old tabby at the time.

Monique had high hopes she’d celebrate her second birthday with a loving family of her own, but instead she sat alone.

She’d spent 115 days at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home waiting to find her forever home.

Courtesy of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

The shelter staff had a brilliant idea: they’d throw Monique a birthday party hoping that potential adopters would show up and witness how wonderful she is.

Despite the excitement they’d generated on social media, not a single person showed up to Monique’s birthday party.

Instead, the beautiful tabby was pictured all alone with a “happy birthday” banner and a few toys the staff had gifted her.

Courtesy of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

To make matters worse, not a single person had applied to adopt her.

“It’s always a shame to see one of our cats be repeatedly overlooked, especially one so young and with so much to offer as a pet,” Chrissie Grindrod, Battersea’s cattery leader, told Metro

Monique was perfect the perfect companion. She was loving, playful, curious, and adventurous.

Courtesy of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

There was just one problem…Monique had been diagnosed with FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus).

However, it’s a well-known fact that FIV positive cats can live long, healthy lives in the right environment.

For her long-term health and safety, Battersea required that Monique’s prospective home commit to adopting her as an only child and have a cat-proof garden.

Courtesy of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

Due to the misinformation and myths about FIV, Monique was being overlooked despite how hard Battersea staff tried to separate fact from fiction.

Battersea had even volunteered to help any of Monique’s potential adopters cat-proof their gardens if that was the reason holding them back from adopting her.

Still, no luck.

Courtesy of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

Days passed and Monique continued to watch other animals go home with forever families while she waited for her own.

Then something special happened…

News broke of no one coming to Monique’s birthday party and she quickly became an internet sensation.

Courtesy of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

News stations and newspapers all over the United Kingdom shared her story and the public reacted with endless love and support.

“The two-year-old stray quickly built up a huge fanbase including people kindly offering to fly her to homes halfway round the world, generous members of the public donating to Battersea in Monique’s honour, and cat lovers across the country sending gifts to the London-based charity,” said Battersea in a press release.

It just so happened that a kind gentleman named Adnan was watching the news one evening and was touched by her story.

It was love at first sight. Adnan applied to adopt Monique and the shelter decided he would make the perfect cat-dad for her.

A few weeks after her lonely birthday party, Monique arrived at her new forever home with Adnan.

The sweet tabby was shy at first, taking her time to explore her new surroundings after spending years in a shelter.

Adnan was kind and patient, allowing Monique to come out of her shell at her own pace.

It didn’t take long for Monique to return to her talkative, friendly self.

Courtesy of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

“It’s been just Monique and me alone since March. She’s very talkative and greets me every morning and can be very bossy when she wants treats,” said Adnan.

The two had formed a special bond. They were inseparable.

“She follows me around the house, pawing at me for scratches and giving me headbutts for cuddles,” Adnan mused.

Courtesy of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

“She was initially keen to jump in my lap (which was interesting when I was working), but has now decided that her many napping spots are much more comfortable and will instead summon me for scratches,” Adnan remarked.

It’s been over a year since Monique was adopted and the shelter regularly checks in with Adnan to get updates on their friendly former resident.

“We were so touched that people from all over the world wanted to help her find a home. It just goes to show how many people understand that rescue cats are special and deserve a second chance at love,” said Lindsey Quinlan, Battersea’s Head of Catteries and Feline Welfare.

Monique will never have to spend another birthday alone.

With Adnan by her side, she will always have someone special to celebrate every occasion and every day with.

Courtesy of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

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Anna

Tuesday 7th of September 2021

Omg this is a great story...I am happy shelter is able to use marketing tools to help those poor animals ...thank you for everything you do 🥰

Debbie horneman

Monday 9th of August 2021

It makes my heart melt! I'm so glad Monique found a happy forever home! God Bless her, long and happy, healthy life Monique.

Carol Garnett

Monday 9th of August 2021

Thanks to all of you for being such great cat lovers. If anyone is interested I know of a very sweet handsome blue/gray Maine coon who needs a furrever home. He has tested positive 3 times for feline leukemia & has to be the only cat in the house. He's neutered & up to date on all his shots. He's been isolated since he came here from Russia in January. I've been trying for months to find him his furrever home. If anyone is interested in adopting him please get in touch through National Cat. Can someone please find room in their heart for this handsome big boy?.

Carol Garnett

Monday 9th of August 2021

Lynn I know a Maine coon who is looking for a great home. He came from Russia & is positive for feline leukemia. He just turned 1 year old is neutered & up to date on all his shots. He is blue/gray very sweet. & Is going to be a very big boy. I live in Southern New Hampshire & if you're interested in adopting him please get in touch with me. I've been trying for for months to find him his furrever home. He's been isolated since January & has to be an only child. If you're interested please let me know. It would mean so much to him & myself. He's never known a home or someone who he can play & cuddle with. Please contact me at my email address if you or someone you know would like to adopt this handsome boy. I can give you further details if you're interested.

Ariel

Tuesday 12th of October 2021

I hope you found a home for him Carol!

Karen

Sunday 8th of August 2021

Thank you so much for the update on Monique. Her story touch my heart and I have thought of her often. Thank you to her wonderful furdaddy for stepping up. Thank you ?