At first, finding a friend for Kiley seemed unlikely. Most cats could not handle the sight of her motorized wheelchair. But Richey was different. He’d learned to be brave while living on the streets and seemed used to being in a home—making him a perfect match for Kiley.
Cat rescuer Chris Poole found Richey at a feral colony he feeds. The blue-eyed cat kept coming back. Poole believed Richey had been abandoned when his owners moved out of their apartment.
Poole talked to Richey, and the cat responded. After some catnip, Richey let Poole pet him. Poole decided Richey would make a great rescue cat. He lured Richey into a carrier with catnip and took him to the vet. Richey got a name, a microchip, and was neutered.
At Suncoast Animal League, Richey loved attention. He wanted to be petted and cuddled all day. Larissa Condarcure, who runs the shelter, knew the perfect family for Richey. Lori Griggs and her daughter Kiley visited. They’d been to many shelters but couldn’t find a cat unafraid of Kiley’s wheelchair—until now.
Richey jumped into Kiley’s lap when they met. Kiley was full of joy. Richey didn’t mind the wheelchair; he got cozy in her lap. He was like a speed bump, unfazed by her driving around the house. When they opened his carrier in Kiley’s bed, he snuggled right up.
Now, Richey loves being a lap cat in his new home. He and Kiley are almost always together and he absolutely adores her. Whether she’s doing schoolwork or just relaxing, Richey is there. Their house is the definition of cuteness overload!