Auben and Minx case study - RSPCA
Building trust
When 12-year-old Auben and Minx arrived at RSPCA Ashley Heath Animal Centre, they faced different challenges. Thanks to your Sponsorship, our dedicated team could address each cat’s unique needs with personalised care.
Auben loved attention from day one but struggled with weight issues and needed medical care for a sore face and infected nail. Our veterinary team treated his sore face and prescribed antibiotics for the infected nail. Eventually, they needed to remove the affected nail, but Auben recovered well. Your support allowed us to treat his health concerns and create a special exercise plan.
Meanwhile, Minx was so scared she’d hiss if anyone got close. We gave her time to settle in with gentle, minimal interaction for a few days. Our patient staff draped a blanket over the shelf in her pod so she could hide. We also placed a small towel sprayed with a calming scent in their pod daily, helping Minx feel more secure.
When she settled, Animal Care Assistant Chelsey and the team spent time near her while she ate, helping her associate people with positive experiences.
Over several weeks, Minx began to show interest in the attention Auben was getting. So we offered our hands for her to sniff, and she started leaning in for strokes. It was as if she suddenly realised we weren’t a threat! Gradually, Minx wanted attention too, even enjoying her grooming sessions.
Minx realised we weren’t a danger to her, and she really came out of her shell.
Home sweet home
After 104 days of loving care, Auben and Minx found their forever home with Jordan and his partner, Sophie. When they first met, Auben was his usual confident self, while Minx was still a bit shy.
“We were told we were the only applicants for several months,” Jordan shares. “That made it certain they were for us. We wanted to make a difference in their lives.”
It didn’t take long for the duo to settle in and show their true personalities. “Minx is a million miles away from the timid cat we first met,” Jordan says. “She certainly lives up to her name – she’s very vocal when she wants feeding, cuddles, or to go outside.”
As for Auben? “He’s an adorable boy, demanding cuddles quite literally every hour of the day,” Jordan says. “Although we definitely come second best to his one true love – food!”
The cats have even chosen their favourite humans. “Minx sleeps on Sophie’s back virtually every night,” Jordan explains. “And Auben ‘shouts’ when he hears my voice or walks across my head in the morning when he’s hungry.”
Jordan sums up their new family members perfectly: “Auben is a ray of sunshine, and Minx is a little queen.”
Your support makes happy endings like this possible. Thanks to you, Auben and Minx are enjoying their golden years in a loving home.
You’re helping cats rediscover joy
Your Sponsorship allows us to create tailored care plans for every cat. From creating enriching environments to personalised care plans, we can meet each cat’s unique needs and help them build confidence.
Because of you, cats are overcoming challenges and getting ready for happy new beginnings.