Meet Gus — a handsome, diabetic, vocal tabby with extra toes (polydactyl paws that look like little mitts!) and an even bigger personality. While Gus has been with HSLM for a year, he has received very little adoption interest. We believe this was largely due to his need for daily diabetic treatment.
But we’re so happy to share some wonderful news: Gus is now in diabetic remission! He no longer requires insulin, though he will continue on a diabetic diet.
Gus isn’t one to curl up in your lap, but he is playful, curious, and loves exploring new spaces. He would thrive in a quiet, adult home with someone who understands cat body language and respects his boundaries. Gus is highly food-motivated, enjoys routine, and appreciates a calm environment.
His future family should be committed to maintaining his diabetic diet and monitoring for any changes in drinking or urination — and in return, they’ll gain a unique, expressive companion with those unforgettable mitten paws.
Let’s hear what our volunteers have to say about Mr. Gus!
“I adore Gus! He’s a complicated guy, but he’s also really lovely. First, he’s beautiful. He’s big and handsome, stalking around on those incredible feet. He’s the kind of cat you’d like having around just to look at him. He’s also smart. He knows the carrier is an opportunity for adventure, so he walks right in. It’s true, he’s not very affectionate, but he’s also not aggressive. In the time I’ve spent with him, he has begun to trust and (I hope) like me, so now he purrs and comes to brush against me, neither of which he did at first. I think in a real home with familiar and reliable people, I have zero doubt he would warm up, even if he’s never a “lap cat.” (Although, this was our cat when we brought him home and now he’s all over us.)
As for play, he LOVES the wand toys and can leap like a tiger. It’s magnificent, honestly.
If I had to pick a human for Gus, it would be someone patient and steady, who appreciates his independence and lets him decide the pace at which the friendship grows. I get the sense he responds to respect and trustworthiness.
If they can take it slow and steady, I really believe whoever brings Gus home is going to look back on their choice and feel very lucky.”
From Gwendolen, HSLM Cat Socializer
“If I had to describe Gus in one word, it would be spunky. He is absolutely hilarious. I hope he finds adopters with a good sense of humour! He is full of spice and knows exactly what he wants. He is also very smart. He knows to get right into the carrier to go to the socialization room and he also has good techniques for trying to get into the treat box. He knocks the treat box off the table hoping the lid will pop off – it hasn’t worked yet, but he’s smart to think of it! He puts 100% into everything he does. He loves to jump and climb, and he can jump far. He is able to get from the couch to the table without even hesitating – quite an impressive distance! He also likes to climb up the cat trees and enjoys the scratching post. Usually the first thing he does out of the carrier is go straight to the scratching post. He is so aggressive with it, he swings himself from side to side and it looks like he’s dancing! While Gus has allowed me to pet his head a few times, he only likes pets on his terms and from what I can tell, he prefers head pets over body pets. He also expresses himself by swatting and hissing. I touched the treat box he was trying to get into and he swatted at my hands, and another time he swatted at me because my hands smelled like treats but I didn’t have any. I like to take it with a sense of humour! He is doing his best to communicate with me. I think he’d do best with a family that respects his boundaries and can put time into helping him get his energy out. He also enjoys spending time in the carrier, so I think he would like a cave bed. He is a wild thing already, but still nature decided to give him thumbs! He will be a great source of entertainment for his future family.
