Ricky is looking for a special and forever home. He is FIV positive cat. I was asked by a rescue group in Dubai to provide assistance in finding Ricky a forever home here in the UK. He arrived in the UK on 19th October last year and has until recently been in a foster home. Ricky has had an awful life and was terribly injured when he was found and picked up from the street, he was either hit by a car and/or badly beaten by a human. He sustained horrible injuries, a group of rescuers paid for his treatment and paid for him to fly back to the UK. He has been so brave and patient. Despite being FIV+ which means his immune system can be compromised, he can still live a happy healthy long life.  To find out more about FIV visit: F.I.V. (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus)

He has recovered well from his injuries. He is still scared of people and scared of other cats. He will need to be rehomed as an only pet, and can only go outside if the new owner has a cat protected garden / enclosed garden (meaning he can’t get out and other cats cannot get in). This would be the ideal home for him, but otherwise I think he could also be happy in a spacious, light indoor home. The vets that treated him think Ricky is about 2 years old but of course there is no way to know. He needs time to get used to people again and currently he very much keeps himself to himself. He just needs a warm home and patience. The flight and trauma of being injured, caged and hospitalised for a long period has caused him to be very fearful, and he is looking for a caring, quiet and patient home where his new guardians will take their time to build up his trust.

As he is currently still a little stressed, I have been advised to keep him on 1 tablet of Gabapentin in the morning and evening to help him feel more relaxed as it's not good for him to feel stressed. He is neutered and has had all his vaccinations. He is blind in one eye but it does not seem to bother him, he plays with his toys. He has recently undergone a course of antibiotics and eye treatment for bug/bacteria/ cough that the vet specialists believed he caught as a result of travelling / change of environment. He has asthma for which we give him inhaler treatment once daily - he's very good with it.

This sweet boy is desperate to get into a loving home that he can finally call and feel is his own and where he can walk/wander about and be loved for who he is, exactly as he is.