Love for a sassy cat

HOW MAY GOT ADOPTED, WHEEL AND ALL

It’s a myth that a pet’s appearance is an indicator of personality. But in May’s case, her fiery red coat matches her attitude — at least some of the time. That’s just who she is. And when she lost her home in Los Angeles and ended up in a shelter, her feisty side showed more often. If she was stressed, she’d bite. That certainly didn’t result in people lining up to adopt her. At the Best Friends Lifesaving Center in L.A., though, May found two things that changed everything for her: friendship with Diane Barber, who works at the center, and a cat exercise wheel.

One of the rooms at the center has a wheel for cats who have energy to burn, and once May figured out how it worked, she was hooked. Diane says, “The best thing about taking care of her was watching her on the exercise wheel. She loved it. It was so much fun to see her entertaining herself.” Running on the wheel made May happier, but it didn’t change her personality. Diane says, “She developed a reputation as a sassy, spicy girl who would tell you what’s what without hesitation.”

This past spring, the team at the lifesaving center moved fast to place as many pets as possible into foster homes for the duration of the stay-at-home order. Diane knew exactly who she’d foster. She loaded up May, brought her home and purchased the most critical thing May would need at her house — an exercise wheel.