Written by Sophie Williams
Professional photography by Nat Gold ZA
I’m a huge cat person. When my previous cat passed away almost a year ago, it took a while until I was ready to welcome a new cat.
Eventually, after several months, we decided that it would be the best time to adopt. After chatting to everyone in the household we adopted.
He was purr-fect for us
My younger cousin fosters kittens for PlumPets Animal Shelter in Plumstead, Cape Town. When I expressed my interest in adopting a kitten, she only had bonded pairs – while we only had space for one cat.
So she gave me the contact for Paulette Bousfield, PlumPets Manager. From there we got in touch and were sent all the options of single cats that needed adoption. As I scrolled through the photos, I saw his ginger face and I knew that he was perfect for us!
Koji comes home
Koji, as we named him, settled in really nicely. When we brought him home he just slept in his cage, a little bit intimidated by the new space, but the very next day he climbed onto my bed and started to sleep with me.
After the few weeks of having him stay in my room, as we were told, Koji was allowed out. And he decided to roam the house and the garden. More and more of his vibrant personality started to show as he was out in nature, performing all the activities that he loves to do.
Now he’s basically part of the furniture and he practically owns the household!
Giving cuddles galore
The one thing I love about him is his feisty personality. Koji is so playful and loving. He’s basically attached to me at the hip – he loves to sleep with a limb or an ear touching my leg. He also adores going into the garden to walk around, dig little holes next to the flower beds, or to catch butterflies.
He’ll play for hours just rolling around and trying to catch your hand. These playful little bites he gives you are so endearing – and then he’ll just lick you afterwards. Probably my favourite quirk about him is his little loving licks of your finger or your palm.
I’m extremely glad I decided to adopt Koji – he’s added so much value to my life! I’ve always been a cat person and being without a cat really put a hole in my heart. Koji has filled the hole.
Every time I come home and see him sleeping on my bed I just get this little burst of joy. I simply look forward to playing with him every day, snuggling with him at night, or just to enjoying the sun together on the porch while I read. He’s the perfect addition to our family.
I would 100% encourage others to adopt. Having a cat in your home is simply a type of joy that you can’t describe. They’re just little “hot water bottles” that love you, catch little bugs for you, and add so much spark and joy in your everyday life.
Adopting a cat that needs a home is so much better than getting one from a breeder, because these babies need a loving space. Being able to provide that is just an enormous blessing.
