Tiptoe

From bin shed to beloved: Tiptoe’s journey to safety and love

When Tiptoe arrived late one evening at Bath Cats & Dogs Home, her future hung in the balance.

She had been surviving alone in a bin shed behind a block of flats. Cold, uncomfortable and in constant pain, she was desperately underweight and suffering from severe dermatitis and dental disease. At just 2.9kg, she was frail and exhausted. Our team were deeply concerned she might not make it through the night.

But Tiptoe wasn’t ready to give up. And neither were we.

Our veterinary team began treatment immediately. To give her damaged skin a chance to heal, Tiptoe needed to wear not one but two protective collars to stop her scratching. She was started on a careful course of steroids and antibiotics, while we helped her slowly regain strength and reach a healthier weight.

Once she was well enough, she underwent dental surgery to remove painful teeth and clean the rest. For the first time in a long while, Tiptoe could begin to feel comfortable again.

As the days turned into weeks, her personality quietly began to emerge.

Although she needed time to recover physically, Tiptoe found gentle comfort in simple pleasures. She particularly loved spending time in the office with staff, curling up nearby as they worked, or stretching out in the warmth of the spring sunshine in our cat garden. These peaceful moments helped her relax and begin to trust again.

It was clear that beneath everything she had endured was a sweet, gentle cat who simply needed care, patience and love.

In early July, that love arrived.

Tiptoe found her forever home with an adopter who saw her for who she truly was. Now affectionately known as “Tippers”, her transformation has been remarkable.

Her adopter told us: “Little Tiptoe, or ‘Tippers’, is doing very well indeed and is a completely transformed cat. Her dermatitis has almost completely cleared up, she’s less fussy with her food and has put on plenty of weight. Her fur is thicker and softer, her back legs work better, she’s vomiting less, playing more and is super friendly with us. She’s also more friendly with other people and visitors. The adoption process was great, and Tiptoe was very well matched to us by your team. Thank you for all the work you do.”

Today, Tiptoe’s life is unrecognisable from the one she left behind.

From a lonely bin shed to a safe, loving home, her story is a powerful reminder of how patience, expert care and kindness can transform a life.