Penny - Domestic Short Hair Cat for Adoption in St. Augustine, Florida

Meet Penny

Sweet Penny, born on December 24, 2022 is a beautiful calico girl with a tender heart and a story that deserves a happy ending.

Penny originally came to us as a tiny kitten from the St. Johns County Animal Shelter, along with her littermates. She was one of four darling babies and was eventually adopted with her bonded brother, Hanson, by an empty-nester couple. They loved these sweet siblings and even had a backup plan in place for their daughter to care for them if they were ever unable to do so.

Sadly, life changed. Penny and Hanson were recently returned to us when their family decided to move to Colorado to a home that does not allow pets. Through no fault of their own, these two sweet cats found themselves back at the cafe.

And while Penny is currently frightened by the busy, multi-cat cafe environment, she is absolutely a loving cat. When someone gives her individual attention, Penny leans right into their hand, enjoys being petted, and purrs loudly to let you know just how much she appreciates it.

The cafe environment is simply not bringing out the best in her. Penny and Hanson have been very stressed since their return and have not been comfortable interacting with people in the way they did when they had a home of their own. We believe Penny is one of those cats who needs the chance to decompress in a quiet, predictable environment where she can feel safe again.

Soon after Penny came back to the cafe, we noticed that her lip was swollen. Our veterinarian examined her and felt that it was most likely a stress-induced indolent ulcer. Penny may also have nonspecific allergies, with stress potentially contributing to her flare-ups. Her veterinarian recommended minimizing stress, limiting exposure to potential food allergens with a special diet, keeping her flea-free, and avoiding irritants such as bleach and other harsh chemicals.

The encouraging news is that Penny's condition can be managed. Her previous success on a hydrolyzed-protein diet is especially reassuring. When she was with her previous family, she was successfully maintained for approximately three years on Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Protein food and had zero flare-ups during that time. Before returning her to us, her former owners transitioned her off that special diet.

Our challenge is that we simply cannot reliably provide Penny with a food-specific diet in a free-roaming, multi-cat cafe environment. To ensure that she eats only her prescribed food, she would need to be separated from the other cats, and that would only increase the stress we are trying to reduce.

We truly believe Penny would thrive in a foster or permanent home where she can have a quiet space, a consistent routine, and her special diet.

Once she is out of the stressful cafe environment, we expect Penny will have the opportunity to relax and show more of the affectionate personality we already see when she receives one-on-one attention.

She isn't a difficult cat. She's a loving cat who is overwhelmed by her current surroundings and needs the right environment to feel safe again.

Penny deserves a home where she can stretch out, settle in, lean into a good petting session, and purr as loudly as her heart desires.

If you can give this beautiful calico girl the calm home, special diet, patience, and love she needs, Penny may be the sweet companion you've been looking for.

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.

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