Cat of the Week: Flora!

Flora (calico) catcalling me for the first time back in July.

Cue shocked gasps. Yes, dear readers, this week I’ve done the unthinkable and picked only one Cat of the Week! Granted, the cat I chose is easily the size of two regular cats…but let’s not split whiskers here.

Now, before we dive into the decadent life of Flora, let me give a quick backstory. For the past two years, I’ve been volunteering at the SARA Animal Shelter in Redcar, and every single week, without fail, I fall for at least one of the cats here (okay, sometimes it’s two, but who’s counting?). Originally, I’d record my weekly favorites on a calendar and fill my phone with roughly a thousand photos. But when my phone started waving a white flag for storage space, I decided to take my obsession online. So, welcome to the Cat of the Week series, where each week, I spotlight a different shelter kitty and maybe—just maybe—help one of these furballs find their forever home!

First, let's see where last week's winners are now...

Last week, we introduced the adorable Bug and Badger, and, spoiler alert, they’re still just as adorable this week. Bug is also still particularly tiny. Case in point, Badger was spayed this week but Bug has not yet had the snip as he's too small. There is however, one big and very exciting change; they are no longer homeless! Soon, these two cuties will be heading off to their new forever home, and while I’m over-the-moon happy for them, I’ll admit they’ll be sorely missed around here.

Bug (Calico) catching a ride in Alex's (British Shorthair) hood while Badger (Tuxedo) investigates the other cats.

Badger (Tuxedo) 'lovingly' staring into Alex's (British Shorthair) eyes.

Now, on to this week’s winner…

We first met this chunky monkey 27th July 2024 and she was my cat of the week back then before I was recording the winners on line. Flora is what I affectionately call a “double threat”: she has the looks and the vocal prowess to command attention. I’d call her a “triple threat,” but her personality is… well, a little too unique to fit the usual cat superstar mold.

Flora (calico) trying to roll herself over.

Flora’s got that classic “tolerates humans” vibe — except without the usual follow-through. This may be due to her, let’s say, majestic size, which means her enthusiasm for movement is pretty minimal. She has all the attitude of a diva but none of the mobility to back it up, and to me, this just makes her even cuter. There’s nothing I love more than playfully teasing her just enough to get a good “harrumph!” and a vocal protest, only for her to flop right back into my lap, exhausted by her grand display of laziness.

Flora (calico) telling me off for touching her butt.

So, there you have it: Flora, our Cat of the Week, a feline queen with an unmatched flair for dramatic grumbling and heavy lounging. If you’re looking for a cat who embodies both “talk” and “no walk,” Flora just might be your future feline soulmate!