Princess the Sphynx: 270 Days in Rescue and Still Waiting for a Home

Why this matters

Princess, a Sphynx cat cared for by the RSPCA Southport, Ormskirk and District Branch, has spent more than 270 days waiting for a permanent home. She was one of eight cats the RSPCA rescued from a property in West Yorkshire where all of them were found seriously unwell. Six survived treatment; the others were rehomed through the RSPCA branch and Animal Rescue Cumbria. Princess is the one still waiting.

Her case exposes a gap that ordinary adoption listings rarely show. A hairless breed is not simply a cat without fur — it is a cat with a permanent, daily care requirement attached to ownership. That is why shelters advertise hairless cats differently, and why a “cute photo” is not enough to judge whether an adoption will succeed.

What we know so far

• Princess was found with parvovirus and signs of cat flu. She was one of six survivors from the group of eight, and she has now spent over 270 days in care.
• A heart murmur was discovered during her time at the branch. She shows no outward signs of a heart condition and is not currently on medication, but she needs regular veterinary check-ups to monitor it.
• As a Sphynx, she requires an owner who understands the extra work: keeping her warm, bathing her regularly, cleaning her ears, and keeping her indoors.
• Adopters must live within travelling distance of Greater Manchester Hospital, where Princess will need a dental procedure after adoption.

What to watch next

Specialist-breed rescues are leaning harder on foster-to-adopt schemes rather than immediate placement, because a first few weeks with a Sphynx are a trial period for both sides. Expect more shelters to publish honest care-cost breakdowns — bathing products, thermal bedding, and frequent vet visits — before an adoption is agreed, instead of after. Watch also for the court outcome on the person responsible for the original eight cats: they received a seven-year ban on owning animals, a £135 fine, and £150 in costs.

If you are thinking about adopting a Sphynx

Be honest about the routine before you fall for the photograph. Princess has taken well to bathing, but only because her carers went slowly and let her settle. Prepare warm, skin-safe bedding, gentle cleaning supplies your vet approves, and soft clothing for cold weather. Build a relationship with a vet who knows hairless cats before you bring her home. The RSPCA branch says she climbs onto shoulders, purrs at everyone she meets, and settles into a blanket to keep warm — for the right owner, she would be an extraordinary companion.

If you are interested in Princess, contact the RSPCA Southport, Ormskirk and District Branch on [email protected] or 01704 567624.

Source: Lancs Live — “She’s been stuck in rescue for 270 days - now Princess needs a home”