Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (June 28, 2022) – A little over seven weeks ago, Helen Woodward Animal Center introduced the world to a very special kitten. Cleopatra, a motherless, frail baby Sphynx kitten had been relinquished to the Center, just barely clinging to life, and found an adopter in a domestic short-haired mother cat named Bellarina who had just given birth. The story of their unique maternal bond made them almost immediate national celebrities with inquiries coming in from all over the country. Now Cleopatra is finally ready to find her new forever parent and potential adopters are invited to fill out applications.
Sphynx/American Curl blend kitten Cleopatra was brought to Helen Woodward Animal Center on March 10th. Only 4 days old, the kitten’s Sphynx mother had shown no interest in nursing her babies and the other kitten siblings had passed away. Days later, a Center rescue partner brought in pregnant feline Bellarina who gave birth to three baby kittens and began nursing immediately. Although extremely affectionate to her own fluffy felines, Center staff wondered how she would respond to the unique hairless and motherless baby. Touchingly, within minutes of introducing Cleopatra, Bellarina welcomed her as the fourth member of her adorable feline family.
The story went national, picked up by People Magazine, In Touch Weekly Entertainment, and received a feature write up by The Dodo. Cleopatra’s story was seen by millions of people across the country and requests to adopt came in from as far away as New York and Nevada.
“I think that their love really moved people,” said Helen Woodward Animal Center Adoption Services Director Hella Tyler. “Bellarina sensed a need in Cleo and just adopted her as her own. I think it might have made people realize that if a cat was willing to open her heart, surely a human family could do the same. The phones just started ringing.”
However, Cleopatra needed more time than most to gain back her strength and get back on the healthy growth path she had missed out on in the first four days of life. Bellarina was content to spend extra cuddle time with the kitten until she was properly weaned and then Bellarina happily found her own forever family.
In the meantime, Cleopatra has been flourishing with a temporary foster family and last week she received her final health checks and spay surgery. She has received the green light to find her new family but those interested should know that Sphynx cats require special treatment to keep their rare hairless skin in good condition.
Those interested in adopting may fill out an application at:
Due to the large number of inquiries, Helen Woodward Animal Center is narrowing down it’s applicants to those who currently have or who have previously owned a Sphynx cat and live locally within Southern California. Approved applications will be notified and asked to submit a 100-word essay or a 1-minute video explaining why their home is perfect for Cleopatra.
The Center is dedicated to its orphan animals and providing them the life-changing help they need. To donate to help pets like Cleopatra, please contact VP of Development Renee Resko at (858) 756-4117 x 347 or go to https://my.animalcenter.org/give/49430/#!/donation/checkout.
