Georgia Price and Christopher Lardner went through the emotional turmoil of losing their first adopted cat, Herbie, who was a rescue and had lived with them for 16 years. Despite their brief companionship, the loss deeply impacted them. However, this experience inspired the couple to open their hearts to another cat in need. Their story, which was initially posted on Instagram and featured by meow.af, showcases their journey.
Georgina and Christopher were moved by the plight of shelter animals nearing the end of their lives. They decided to search for a cat that was having difficulty finding a permanent home. Their search led them to the RSPCA website where they found Toby and Quinton, two elderly cats in need of adoption. Quinton was a toothless black and white cat while Toby had a significant amount of loose skin. The two cats were advertised as a bonded duo, and Georgina and her family chose to adopt both instead of just one, finding it to be a more meaningful gesture.
Georgina recently discovered that her cat Toby has a unique condition known as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) or feline cutaneous asthenia (FCA). This genetic disorder causes the skin to be excessively stretchy and fragile due to a deficiency in collagen. During their visit to the RSPCA, Georgina noticed that both cats were timid, but Toby showed significant fear.
Even though Toby was initially nervous, Georgia and Christopher felt confident in their ability to care for a cat with special needs. They proceeded with the adoption, hopeful that they could provide for both cats. The credit for the pictures belongs to tummyandgummy.
It took some time for Toby and Quinton to get used to their new home. Initially, they preferred to hide under the bed for several weeks. However, with time, they started to adjust and become more comfortable in their new environment. Nowadays, they confidently claim their territory and exhibit typical feline behavior.
The owners of Toby, a dog with a delicate skin condition that makes him prone to injuries even during grooming or playtime, are understandably concerned about the added weight from his loose skin causing joint issues. Similarly, Georgia is relieved that her son’s hypermobility, which is a similar condition, can be managed. In order to prevent injuries to Toby, who relies on the assistance of their dog Qunton for grooming, especially around any wounds, they take precautions.
Georgia and Christopher are taking precautions to ensure the safety of Toby, such as preventing him from jumping from high places and maintaining his nails. They couldn’t be happier to have Toby and Quinton as a part of their family. Despite his condition, Toby enjoys typical cat activities like bird watching and playing, and he absolutely loves belly rubs.
Georgia is sharing Toby’s story to raise awareness about his rare condition and to encourage more people to adopt cats with special needs. She wants to emphasize that caring for these animals isn’t overly demanding and that they can make wonderful, loving pets with unique personalities.
