Domestic Short Hair Cats Available for Adoption

Yuzu – A Tangy Little Survivor

Yuzu, also known as Japanese citron, is a small, tangy citrus fruit with bumpy skin and large seeds. If I do say so myself, the name fits him perfectly.

He arrived on February 13th as a small (but very sweet), scrawny fellow with an unkempt coat — his “peel,” if you will — and big, expressive eyes that felt like the seeds to his soul. Beneath the grime and frailty, I could immediately see the fabulous cat waiting to emerge once he received the care he deserved.

Yuzu appeared to have come from a hoarding situation. He was intact, and I estimated him to be about four years old (born in early 2022). His rescuer said he gained a surprising amount of weight in just the 18 hours she had him, because all that boy wanted to do was eat!

Which was quite remarkable, considering the state of his mouth.
His teeth were in terrible condition — mobile, fractured, and surrounded by severe stomatitis, abscesses, and ulceration on his tongue. His fur was saturated with urine and coated in flea dirt, his tail greasy from hormones (a condition called “stud tail” caused by testosterone in intact males), and his nails were overgrown and packed with dirt and grime. He truly was a heartbreaking sight.

And yet, despite everything, he remained such a happy and affectionate guy.
We quickly got to work addressing his many needs. All but his four canine teeth had to be extracted (I was happy to save those at least). He received multiple baths — and then a few more for good measure — along with antibiotics, flea treatment, and a full round of diagnostics.

Unfortunately, my suspicion was confirmed: Yuzu tested positive for Feline Leukemia Virus. He was also anemic, most likely due to his chronic neglect and severe oral infection.

But with remarkable resilience, he bounced back beautifully.

Over the following month he steadily gained weight, muscle mass, and strength. By the time of his one-month recheck, he looked — and felt — like a completely different cat.

And his personality? Just as delightful.

Yuzu is a funny boy who likes to tease us when it’s time to come down from the catwalk for his medication. He can be quite vocal at times, though I suspect he simply has a lot to say about his former life.

He would be a wonderful companion for kids looking for an active playmate. While he isn’t overly fond of the other cats, he does tolerate them — which may be why he enjoys perching up high where he can keep a watchful eye on everything happening below.

And, as an added bonus, Yuzu is part of our Forever Foster a Feleuk Kitty to help defray costs moving forward, and increase his chances on the adoption circuit!

The domestic short hair cat is a popular and diverse breed known for its unique personalities and low maintenance care. These cats come in various colors and patterns, with short, easy to manage coats that require minimal grooming. Domestic short hairs are friendly, adaptable, and make wonderful companions for individuals and families alike. They possess playful and affectionate qualities that endear them to many, making them one of the most beloved and widely adopted cat breeds worldwide.