Prince's Story: From Foster Cat to Forever Family
After being rescued from cruelty, Prince recovered in RSPCA care before finding the perfect foster home and a family who ended up adopting him.
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From hungry and frightened to safe at last
When RSPCA Inspector Kate Levesley first met Prince in March 2023, she was shocked by his condition. He was severely underweight and much of his fur was missing.
His owner had shaved him with electric clippers because his coat was shedding, leaving him with little protection or warmth. Kate was also concerned about how thin and distressed he seemed, so she got him straight to a vet.
Tests found no underlying illness to explain Prince's poor condition. He was anaemic, had very little muscle and showed signs of having been starved.
Prince was ravenously hungry. He would hiss, growl and frantically guard his food, behaviour our team believed was driven by extreme hunger and not knowing when his next meal might come.
Once Prince came into our care, we gave him regular meals, treatment and medication to help relieve his stress. Slowly, he began gaining weight and becoming more relaxed around food.
“He improved so drastically in RSPCA care,” says Kate. “When I saw him again, he looked like a different cat. His coat was beautiful and his weight looked healthy.”
Before
When we rescued Prince, he was severely underweight and much of his fur was missing.
After
Prince today, with his coat grown back and enjoying life as part of the family.
I was so glad to have helped get him to a place where he was being looked after properly and was healthy and happy.
Finding his feet in foster care
As Prince grew stronger, he needed a safe, settled home where he could continue his recovery. Experienced foster carers Simon and Rachel had already welcomed five RSPCA cats into their home; all of which were eventually rehomed with loving new owners.
“We opened his carrier in our spare room, as foster cats usually need some time alone in a quiet space before they’re ready to explore,” says Simon. “But Prince hopped out and looked at us as if to say: ‘Are you going to stroke me now?’ It was like he knew he was home.”
There were still signs of Prince's difficult past. He remained very focused on food, wolfing down his meals and once even finding the family's supply and ripping open a pouch himself.
Staff at RSPCA Newbrook Farm Animal Centre supported Simon and Rachel with his medication and showed them how to make feeding more enriching. A consistent routine helped Prince learn that there would always be another meal.
Gradually, Prince’s fur grew back, he reached a healthy weight and his personality began to shine through. The cat who once wolfed down whatever food he could find even became a little fussy about what was on the menu.
It can be hard to say goodbye to an animal you’ve looked after. A ‘foster fail’ is the playful term for what happens when a foster animal ends up becoming a permanent member of the family.
“He already felt like a part of the family”
Prince stayed with Simon and Rachel for more than a year while his case was ongoing. During that time, he became increasingly settled, and the family changed too.
In July 2024, Simon and Rachel welcomed their daughter Freya.
Prince wasn't impressed at first. The new noises and smells made him wary, but gradually he got used to Freya. He even started sitting on the sofa with her.
By the time Simon and Rachel were given the option to adopt Prince, there wasn't much of a decision to make.
“We'd had Prince for more than a year by then,” says Simon. “We knew he was the cat for us. He was gentle, friendly and so good with Freya.”
After five foster cats had come and gone, number six wasn't going anywhere. Prince was already home.
Prince is such a comforting presence
Today, Prince's life couldn't look more different. He follows his family around, sleeps on their bed and keeps Simon company in his home office. He loves snoozing in his favourite cardboard box, sitting on the patio steps watching the garden and relaxing under his favourite tree. He's an early riser too. Sometimes as early as 4am.
“In the morning when I come downstairs, he's meowing and looking for attention,” says Simon. “He'll jump up on my desk and come over for strokes.”
And Rachel, who hadn't grown up with pets, has been thoroughly won over.
“Rachel's got her baby, and I've got mine!” says Simon. “It's lovely having Prince follow you or stroking him when he comes to rest on your lap. He's just the best cat.”
