ASPCA Happy Tails

This Week's ASPCA Happy Tail

Violet

Patience Makes Purrfect

Shira Savada of Manhattan knew what she was looking for in a pet and was willing to wait for just the right four-legged friend. A handful of times, over the last few months, she visited the ASPCA looking for the perfect kitty, but the feline stars weren’t aligned quite right until Saturday, October 10, when she met a personable, two-year-old Tabby named Rihanna.

“I had been looking to adopt a cat who was over a year old and had a sweet temperament,” explains Shira, “—an independent kitty who liked to lounge on the couch and watch TV, but also loved playing with toys and meeting new people.”

Rihanna was that longed-for match. The pretty young thing was first brought to the ASPCA by a good Samaritan who found her alone, homeless and suffering from a bite wound on her tail. Her mellow, good nature quickly made her a favorite of shelter staff. Socializing was key for the former stray and made all the difference in the first meeting with her future forever mom. “She let me pick her up, and we played on the floor in the cat room,” Shira says. “When she gave me a hug, I knew she was coming home with me.”

Now called Violet to better reflect her petite, girly frame and Shira’s favorite color, this charming cat has settled into her new life as the “only child” of a devoted pet parent. According to Shira, she loves exploring, perching and running from one end of the apartment to the other. It seems this little kitty has wholeheartedly let down her guard and embraced her good fortune.

“Violet’s definitely a character!” Shira muses. “She does something I’ve referred to as ‘sashing’—she lies across me (and anyone else who picks her up, really) and positions herself like a Miss America sash. With her head close to mine, she starts rubbing her head against my face and purring.”

Shira adds: “Violet is the best. She really makes me happier—I've got someone who counts on me and who I can count on for unconditional love.”