Hysterics at Shelter's Appeal To Adopt Cats Who Will 'Never Like You'
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An animal rescue organization has gone viral for the unique way it shone a light on their less-loving pets for adoption.
The Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA), based in Ireland's capital, took to its Facebook page on May 14 and asked a simple question: "Are you looking for a cat who won't love you?"
In a post alongside a photo of a cat hissing angrily at the camera, the society said it has cats available for adoption who "don't dream of cuddles and affection but of your absence and distance and to be left alone."
Head of cat operations at DSPCA, Colm, who gave his first name only, told Newsweek: "We wanted to shine a light on a very special type of cat we sometimes have in our care—the ones we call 'Community Cats' or 'Inbetweeners'.
"They're not quite feral, but not quite house pets either. These cats aren't big on affection, but they still rely on people for food and shelter."
The social-media post went on to explain the cats need farmyards and stables "where they can live and judge you as they please."
And in return, their new owners will receive "professional hissing, gifts of unwanted rodents, patrolling the land keeping everyone away, making those who do approach feel unwelcome, and more hissing."
Staff members urged anyone interested in a cat who will "never like you or even try to make the effort" to get in touch. Colm told Newsweek the animals are "great cats, and each have their own quirky personalities."
"The Facebook post was a fun way to highlight them and get people thinking differently about what it means to adopt," Colm said.
And it worked, as the appeal raked up more than 1,500 likes. Dozens shared their own stories, with one user writing: "I adopted a cat from DSPCA as a pair and was told he was unlikely to be affectionate—was a teddy bear after a year and couldn't get enough cuddles!"
Another said: "As the proud servant of 5 of these cats, I can HIGHLY recommend them. Two of them have learned to tolerate me and allow pets and cuddles, one allows brief pets if food is involved and two will try to eat your hand clean off your arm if you try."
"We tried that with a hostile feral cat, and within a few short years he was sleeping in our bed on the pillow under the duvet, purring away," a third said, as one comment read: "A cat wrote this."
Colm said the reaction to the unique adoption advert has been "fantastic," and "lots of people have already reached out, saying they didn't even know cats like this were available for adoption.
"We're currently working through a number of inquiries, which is brilliant, especially as we have a couple of these cats ready for homes and more expected soon."
Stock image: An outdoor cat looks at the camera with its eyes narrowed and mouth open.
Stock image: An outdoor cat looks at the camera with its eyes narrowed and mouth open.Barn cats are popular in rural communities in the United States, too, and are usually feral or semi-social cats—who are used to people but have no interest in interacting with them. Social cats do not usually make good barn cats, as they would adapt better to being an indoor cat or pet, according to an article from PetMD.
Colm said their "community cats" can be a "great option for the right home—especially rural settings, farms, or stables—where their natural hunting instincts are appreciated for rodent control."
"While they may not want to sit on your lap, they're lovely to have around," he said.
"Over time, they'll often follow you at a distance, and there's something really rewarding about giving them a safe place to live while letting them be exactly who they are."
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup
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