Prince, a ginger-and-white cat who arrived in RSPCA care hungry, frightened and missing much of his coat, has become a permanent member of the family who helped him recover.
The RSPCA says an inspector rescued Prince in March 2023. Vets found that he was severely underweight and anaemic, but no underlying illness explained his condition. Regular meals, treatment and medication helped him gain weight and feel safer around food.
His next stop was the home of experienced foster carers Simon and Rachel. They had already fostered five RSPCA cats, all of whom went on to new homes. Prince was supposed to be number six in that noble sequence.
He stayed for more than a year while his case continued. During that time his coat grew back, he reached a healthy weight and settled into family life. When Simon and Rachel were eventually offered the chance to adopt him, the temporary arrangement had already become rather permanent.
Prince now follows his family around, sleeps on their bed and assists Simon in his home office. His duties also include cardboard-box inspection, garden supervision and starting the working day at about 4am.
Source: the RSPCA’s account of Prince’s rescue, recovery and adoption, published 22 September 2026; checked 29 September 2026.