Meet SSRH long term cats in our care
Goose & Maverick
Goose and Maverick came into our care when they were around eight months old, both seriously unwell with a bad case of kitten flu. It was clear from the beginning that they had been through a rough start, and it’s taken time, patience, and a lot of love to help them heal — not just physically, but emotionally too. Now, after 18 months with us, they’ve grown into two incredibly special boys with unique personalities and beautiful bonds.
Goose was the more cautious of the two. When he arrived, he wouldn’t allow anyone to touch his face, and he wasn’t particularly fond of being stroked at all. But slowly, day by day, he began to trust. Now, he absolutely adores being petted — especially along his body and the back of his head. Watching Goose learn to enjoy affection has been one of the most rewarding parts of his journey.
Maverick, on the other hand, has always been the confident one. From the start, he’s been outgoing and affectionate, happy to be scooped up and held like a baby in your arms. He craves human attention and gives it back just as much — a true cuddle bug through and through.
My Story
When Goose and Maverick first arrived, they were not only battling kitten flu — they were also underweight and struggling to breathe properly. It was clear they’d had a hard start in life, and for a while, it was touch and go. Even now, they still live with the lingering effects of their early illness. Sneezing and coughing are part of their daily lives, and despite countless efforts, we’ve yet to find a treatment that completely relieves their symptoms.
But what they lack in perfect health, they more than make up for in spirit.
They’ve both come such a long way. From shy, sickly kittens to vibrant, playful boys full of personality, Goose and Maverick have blossomed in the safety of their foster home. They’ve opened up not just to people, but to the other cats around them — becoming part of the family. They love to play with everyone, chasing toys and each other with unstoppable energy and joy.
Their resilience is inspiring, and their bond is unbreakable. These two have overcome so much and still greet each day with enthusiasm, affection, and a love for life that never fades.
Lucy
Lucy is an incredibly adorable cat with a heart-warming story. She was found abandoned in a Wickes car park, but since then, she has blossomed into a loving and playful companion. Lucy has formed a close bond with the other cats in her foster home and adores spending time with them—whether it's chasing, playing, or cuddling.
She’s a true cuddle bug who loves snuggling up on her foster parents' laps for hours. One of her sweetest quirks is her love for burrowing under the covers and sleeping between them, often with her head resting on the pillow like a little person.
My Story
Not long after arriving in care, Lucy had a seizure while being spayed. That moment changed everything. Her foster family knew she would need extra love and lifelong care, so she stayed — safe, supported, and surrounded by comfort. Before medication, Lucy was having seizures about every six weeks. Thankfully, treatment has helped a lot. Though she'll likely never be completely seizure-free, she’s now living a much more stable and happy life.
Vets aren’t exactly sure what causes her seizures, but they believe it could be due to birth defects, possibly related to a form of dwarfism. But Lucy is so much more than her medical challenges. She’s brave, loving, and endlessly sweet — a little cat who has overcome so much and still greets every day with a playful heart and a gentle purr.
Dinah
Dinah’s journey into our care in March 2024 was a pivotal moment for both her and her kittens. Arriving with her five new-borns, she had the immense responsibility of being a mother, but even more than that, she had her own struggles to overcome. Despite her own hardships, Dinah has shown such grace and strength. She’s a lovely girl, full of life and spirit, and has clearly embraced her role as a mother with all the care and tenderness you’d hope for. Dinah's transition from a mother with her kittens to a joyful, affectionate cat who now enjoys life on her terms is nothing short of heart-warming. It’s clear she’s found not just safety and care, but a true sense of comfort and happiness in her new life.
My Story
Dinah’s story is one of incredible resilience. Coming from a hoarding situation with four other female cats, she was already facing a life of neglect before she even had the chance to thrive. It became clear that all of the cats were unwell, but it wasn’t until later that we discovered they had Isospora—an uncommon but treatable. Despite this, the challenges didn’t stop there. Dinah also battled a severe case of Calicivirus, which had devastating effects on her health, particularly her teeth.
Losing 13 teeth was a painful reality for Dinah, and she still has another 15 to be removed, leaving her with only her three canines and one incisor. But what’s truly remarkable is how little this seems to have slowed her down. Dinah has such a fierce spirit and an ability to adapt that despite the ongoing dental issues, she continues to live her life with warmth, affection, and a love for the world around her. It’s clear that she’s not defined by her past or her health struggles—she’s a survivor, and she’s embraced the love and care she now has with open paws.
Although she’ll remain in our care until we are absolutely certain there are no more repercussions from the Calicivirus, What’s truly heart-warming is seeing how she’s blossomed into an even more affectionate cat now that her mouth feels better. You can sense that relief in her—finally free from the discomfort that likely held her back from being as close as she wanted to be. It’s like a weight has lifted, allowing her to fully enjoy the comfort of companionship and affection. Watching her grow more relaxed and loving, especially after the challenges she faced, is a beautiful testament to her resilience and the care she’s received.
Derek
As one of Dinah's kittens, he came into the world with an extra dose of confidence. From the very beginning, it seems like nothing fazes him—he’s the kind of cat who loves everyone, whether they have two legs or four. His easygoing nature means he gets along with the dog, the other cats, and probably even the humans who cross his path.
Derek’s ability to befriend everyone speaks to his innate kindness and curiosity.
My Story
Derek, like his sister Daltrey, didn’t have the easiest start in life. He faced his own battle with Calicivirus, Isospora, and a strep infection, which, unfortunately, left him with a heart murmur as well. His early days were filled with health struggles, but that didn’t stop him from growing into the affectionate and outgoing cat he is today.
Despite the challenges he faced, Derek’s heart—and his spirit—remained strong. His heart murmur may be a reminder of the difficult start he had, but it hasn’t dulled his ability to love and connect with everyone around him. His affectionate nature, combined with his boundless energy and confidence, makes him a cat who spreads joy wherever he goes. Whether he’s snuggling with a fellow cat, playing with the dog, or just seeking out some human attention, Derek’s loving personality shines through.
Daltrey
Daltrey, one of Dinah’s kittens, has had her own unique journey. While her brother may have been more outgoing, Daltrey has always been a bit more reserved, taking time to understand the world around her. For a while, she was hesitant to trust, unsure of how to embrace affection. But with time, patience, and the gentle touch of those who cared for her, she began to discover something wonderful—that she actually liked to be stroked. It was a subtle shift at first, a quiet moment of realization, but now she engages in it with such enthusiasm and joy, showing just how far she’s come.
Her transformation from nervousness to this newfound love for being petted is a beautiful testament to her growing confidence and trust. It’s amazing how, with enough care and patience, even the most timid souls can find comfort and warmth.
My Story
Daltrey’s start in life was anything but easy. She battled through a series of health challenges, including Calicivirus, Isospora, and a strep infection, each of which took a toll on her tiny body. The struggles she faced left her with a heart murmur, a constant reminder of the hardships she overcame in her early days. Yet, despite all of this, Daltrey is nothing short of remarkable.
She’s become an affectionate, loving cat, one who has embraced life with a vibrancy that speaks to her strength and resilience. Her health may have been fragile in the beginning, but her spirit was never broken. She’s learned to love and trust, and her affectionate nature shines through in everything she does. She may have faced difficult odds, but Daltrey has blossomed into a cat who not only loves life but does so with an enthusiasm that’s contagious.
Julia
Meet Julia, our lovely Bengal cross who found her way to us through Cat's Protection. She's a playful spirit who loves to challenge the other cats to a wrestling match, but they wisely choose to keep their distance! Instead, you'll often catch her enjoying a good chase or a light boxing session. Julia is also quite the cuddle bug often choosing to snuggle up close to her foster parents, sometimes so near their faces that it feels like she's right on top of them!
My Story
It didn’t take long for us to notice that something wasn’t quite right with Julia. She was drinking around 4 pints of water every day and urinating just as much. Concerned, we took her to the vet, and after blood tests came back normal, we were faced with the rare diagnosis of diabetes insipidus. It was a lot to take in, but with medication twice daily, we’re keeping her condition under control. Despite the challenges, Julia remains her sweet, strong self, and we’re doing everything we can to help her live her best life.
Miss Kesia
Miss Kesia came from a similar background as Uncle Bernard, but her journey has been a bit different. While Bernard was understandably more reserved, Kesia has shown a greater confidence in her new environment. She’s more playful and eager, always ready to join Julia for games of chase and boxing. It’s heart-warming to see her so full of life, especially considering the difficult past she came from.
Kesia’s ability to embrace joy and playfulness speaks to her strength and resilience. It’s clear she’s found a place where she can truly be herself, and seeing her interact so freely with Julia is a beautiful reminder of how love and care can help an animal not just survive but truly thrive after hardship. Her bond with Julia is something special, filled with the kind of joy that only animals can bring.
My Story
Miss Kesia’s journey has been nothing short of heart-breaking, yet her resilience is nothing short of inspiring. She was initially pregnant and abandoned, left to fend for herself in a world that showed her little kindness. Fortunately, a neighbour took her in, offering a brief moment of safety, but that too turned out to be a fragile hope. She was left home alone, once again forced to navigate a world of uncertainty and fear. It was only when things became dire that the police intervened, rescuing her and placing her into our care.
It’s hard to imagine the kind of emotional toll this must have taken on her—pregnant and abandoned, only to be left alone again—but despite it all, she’s emerged with a strength that shines through. Now, she’s in a place where she’s loved, safe, and surrounded by those who care for her. Her bond with Julia and her playful nature are a testament to her ability to heal, to trust again, and to embrace the joy that was once denied to her. Watching her flourish feels like a beautiful victory after everything she’s endured.
Matty
Matty Groves has been in our care after being brought in by Mark Nelson Vets. Despite his major health conditions, which explain his thinness, he is making remarkable progress, gaining 200g each week! He has a friendly demeanor, enjoying the of people and loving head scratches. We're also focused on helping him feel comfortable with being touched in other areas we prepare for his upcoming vet visit for vaccinations further investigation into his stiffness and wobbling gait.
My Story
Meet Matty, a gentle Tom who came into our care at the beginning of April 2025. Weighing just 2.6KG, he's quite underweight for his large frame, as he should ideally be closer to 5KG. Despite his stiffness and wobbly movements, likely due to arthritis and malnourishment, Matty is responding well to Metacam, which is helping ease his pain and inflammation. He enjoys his meals, loves his heat pad and red light combo and is eager for affection, especially on his head. He is skin and bone so the rest of his body is painful. As he regains his strength, with sponsors monthly support, Matty can continue to make progress and get the treatment he needs.
Eventually our hope is to find him a forever home where he can live comfortably and joyfully.
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Uncle Bernard
Uncle Bernard came into our care after a vet visit that led to the removal of three of his teeth, despite his recent struggles, his spirit shines brightly He is a devoted uncle to Dinah's kittens, showering them with love and affection, and he has formed a touching bond with Miss Kesia, understands his journey. Their connection brings a heartwarming energy to our home, reminding us of the resilience and joy that comes from love and companionship. We are truly blessed to have them in our lives.
My Story
The vet suspected that he had been kicked in the face, but we also believe he may have witnessed or even been involved in domestic violence. His past was a painful one, and when he first came into our care, he was understandably scared and distrustful. It took six long months of patience, compassion, and dedication to help him begin to heal and feel safe again. Every step of the way was a challenge, but the effort was worth it.
Now, he’s living a peaceful, comfortable life—one filled with love and security. He’s no longer haunted by fear, and it’s heartwarming to see him thriving in an environment where he knows he’s safe. Watching him blossom from such a difficult past into the happy, relaxed companion he is today has been a journey of its own, and it’s a reminder of just how resilient animals can be when given the chance to heal.
Buffy
Buffy came into Stepping Stones Rescue & Haven after being found under a shed trying to nurse her babies. Once old enough, Buffy's kittens were all adopted quickly but Buffy was still very skittish and hand shy so she came to her current foster where she could have her own room and 1 to 1 work to get her ready for rehoming.
My Story
It has been slow going .... Buffy has taken 6 months to come out from hiding despite loads of encouragements, she then took about another 4 months to step out of that room.
To try building her confidence, she was settled into another room where she would have more interactions with other foster cats. It turned out she loves other cats and being with them has been helping her gain confidence. Buffy is still very skittish and chooses to spend most of her time in one room where she is happy and comfortable.
her fosterers are still working on getting her confident enough to roam the property and she occasionally comes for a wander into the hallway.
Since no one knows what happened to Buffy while she was on the streets, its hard to pinpoint what is triggering her anxiety. Despite this she loves cuddles and is very affectionate to her fosterers.
As Buffy struggles to cope with changes and exhibits signs of past trauma, she has stayed as a long-term foster in a family where she is loved, happy and can enjoy the company of other cats she has bonded with.