Fi: A Buddy to All

His soft eyes could gaze up at you, soft and sweet with a hint of mischief just beneath the surface. Fi had a personality as big as the giant chanting "Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum!" and he quickly became a favorite among staff and volunteers for his charming ways. He was known for his playful nature with a talent for turning anything into a game. From feather toys to crumpled up tissue paper, Fi would find the fun in just about anything. And, with a motivation for treats, he successfully learned to sit, spin around, and "sit pretty" with clicker training through the Cat Pawsitive Pro program at Dakin.

But, along with his larger than life personality, Fi faced medical challenges due to an immune disorder that causes severe inflammation of the gums. At Dakin he underwent a dental procedure to remove tarter, trim inflamed gums, and extract the most affected tooth. Despite this, ongoing care was going to be both necessary and essential. Any potential adopters would need to be prepared for daily tooth brushing and the likelihood of future costly tooth extractions and cleanings.

These additional medical needs would make finding a home more difficult. In the meantime, the team focused on keeping him engaged to prevent boredom. Along with the added dental care, the right match would also need to provide Fi with playful outlets like "puzzle feeders, further clicker training, structured play, and a well-established routine in general" explained Sarah, Admissions & Capacity Coordinator at Dakin.

Finally, after Fi was through his dental treatment and up for adoption, the wait for an adopter began. The search for the right match seemed unending. Day after day he charmed everyone he met, remembering his skills from clicker training and dancing in circles for Churu treats. And, just when it seemed that the wait would never end, the unexpected happened. A family arrived, ready to open their hearts to Fi and welcome him into their home.

Fi, now named Buddy Boy, in his adoptive home

Shortly after adoption we received an update that brought smiles to our faces. Fi was settling in nicely and thriving in his new home, already showing his new family how much love he has to give. The message read, "The staff all seemed quite attached to him. We were warned that he craves a lot of attention and that is what he will get!"

"Also, his new name is Buddy Boy", a perfect fit for the cat who was a friend to everyone he met at Dakin.