The cat, once cherished, now finds himself abandoned, discarded like yesterdays paper, all because of a test result. In the depths of winter
A cat named Harry is discovered shivering on the steps outside his own block of flats. The poor fellow darts anxiously from one side to the other, crying plaintively, scratching at the icy metal door, even gnawing it in desperation. The world outside terrifies himhes never set paw beyond his cosy flat before this. Once pampered, always warm and surrounded by affection, Harry is helplessly trusting. He runs up to each person who passesneighbours, strangers alikerubbing against their legs, trembling, peering into their eyes as if begging someone to rescue him from this harsh, bewildering world hes been tossed into straight from his soft bed by the radiator. Snow piles up around him, the frosty wind cuts through his fur.
The reason for his plight is painfully simple. His owner decided she wanted a second pet after seeing an advert for a pedigree cat needing a new home. The rehoming coordinator asked her to get the resident cat tested first. Tests were done, and Harry was found to carry feline immunodeficiency virus. But the illness showed absolutely no symptoms and posed no threat to humans or dogs: the virus is specific to cats and can only spread between them.
In fact, Harrys immune system is keeping the virus in checkhes perfectly healthy. But his owner saw only the word virus, panicked and decided she didnt want a sick cat in her home. She didnt bother to understand the diagnosis or bother to learn that its completely harmless for people. Without a second thought, she simply put Harry out onto the streets in the dead of winter.
Luckily, it was the buildings caretaker who finally spotted him. One day, she noticed that he was no longer pacing by the door, but lying curled up in the snow, barely moving. Frozen and exhausted, Harry started to drift into sleepthe kind of sleep that, in the cold, can be fatal. The caretaker acted quickly; she scooped him up, brought him inside her office, spread her own coat on the floor by a heater, and shared her packed lunch with him. A basic tin of baked beans, that day, became Harrys salvationthe warmth and the food pulled him back from the brink.
Later that day, Harry was taken to an animal shelter. Hed suffered severe hypothermia, and caught a bad cold, but with treatment and care, hes made a full recovery. Now, Harry is healthy once more, his trust in people restored. Hes been neutered, vaccinated, and holds a veterinary passport.
Hes still so youngonly three years old. Unbelievably affectionate, Harry adores human company with all his heart: he wraps his paws around people, purrs in their ears as if serenading them, and headbutts and kisses are his favourite way to show love. Each farewell to a volunteer breaks his little heart as he returns to his shelter cage. Harry is, without doubt, a true house cat, meant for a flat filled with warmth and gentle hands.
