From Rescued to Rehomed: Empurress’s story

When our Napier team first met a cat that had been caught in a trap, they received mixed signals from the feisty girl.

“She came in from a stray cat colony, and it was as though she was trying to be tough but failing miserably,” says SPCA team member Georgia.

“She’d be purring and smoochy, and then it was like she remembered she wasn’t supposed to be affectionate. She’d hiss and arch her back – then go back to being smoochy and purry again.”

Undergoing a check from our vet team, she was underweight, covered in dirt and faeces, and her heart rate and breathing were extremely fast.

Work got underway to help her, and the team lovingly named her Empurress. She started to warm up as she realised we were there to help.

“We liked to say that she ‘purred in the face of adversity’ every time,” says Rachel, Animal Care Lead from our Napier Centre. “Even through the process of a bath!”

Put on a special diet, and with her health concerns under control, Empurress was ready to spend time in a foster home to be further socialised and experience a home environment.

As well as improving her socialisation skills, her name got an upgrade from her fosterer – she became ‘Empurress Purry Pants’.

“She was the friendliest cat to ever step paws into SPCA,” says fosterer Hayley.

At first, Hayley would do her paperwork beside Empurress’s cage, to encourage her to come out and socialise. It didn’t take long before she was out and about, and wanting to be involved!

After around three weeks she’d come a long way, and was ready to be put up for adoption.

Though it took some time for the right person to come along, the team were thrilled when the big day came.

Her new mum Cherie has told us that Empuress Purry Pants has settled in very well!

“Our Empurress has made herself at home,” Cherie says. “She’s very energetic and curious, and loves exploring unchartered areas of the house.”

“She bounced on my bed this morning, thankfully waking me up to drive my daughter to school. Never had a 'cat alarm clock' before. After play, she cuddles and snuggles up right next to you. She’s a fun addition to the family and we just adore her.

“My daughter is taking her responsibility to the absolute next level! We are having a blast with our lil' Miss Empurress.”

Are you looking to adopt a cat like Empurress Purry Pants? You can meet all of the animals waiting to find their forever homes.