William, we'll call him William although this was not his name at this time, was a 5 year-old male Turkish Van cat.  Little is known of his background, his upbringing, and the events prior to this one day when his owner decided she could no longer keep him.

"He attacks my other (older) cat," claimed William's owner, "He must go, now!"

"Let's not be too hasty," replied our helpline worker, "Give us a little time and we'll try to find a new home for him."

"You have until the weekend!"

"Right."

The handle was cranked, and the wheels of the rescue mechanism turned.  "Do we know of a suitable new home for a Turk in this area?"

Fortunately we do.  We have a list of people who have expressed an interest in rehoming a Turkish Van, and luckily there was a home that seemed suitable.  You see, it really does work!

"Oh yes, I'm sure they would love to," said the excited voice on the end of the phone, "I'll tell them as soon as they get back on Saturday night!"  She sounded really keen, knowing her parents had recently lost their previous Turk to a kidney problem, and wanted another.

"Okay, I'll let the current owner know."  Things were looking promising!

"You have until 9:30 on Sunday morning, then it goes to the rescue centre," was the retort, on hearing that a potential new home had been found.

"But we have a new home for him, we just need a little time to sort out the details!"

"Okay, 10:30 then!"  That's generosity for you!

By 8.00 Sunday morning the new home had been confirmed, and we tried to call the current owner.  The time was 10:30am, but the phone just kept ringing.  At 11:30am we got a reply.  "He's down the rescue centre, you'll have to sort it with them now."

"But you said you weren't going until 10:30.  I tried to ring you."

"I know, but he was already in the car and we were just about to leave".

Well, the story isn't over yet.  The new owner threw on a coat and shoes and rushed down to the rescue centre.  On her arrival she saw a dirty and dishevelled William in a pen, with another cat (you'll recall that he doesn't get on easily with other cats)!  The rescue centre had been told "We found him hanging around our house, and he was becoming a nuisance." by the person who brought him in. Hmm!

Anyway they took him home, after paying £75⁽¹⁾ to the rescue centre for his release, presumably to cover their having to put him in the pen then take him out again (there's charity, and there's charity).  He cried all the way home, being very stressed and frightened, and immediately ran upstairs in his new home to find sanctuary in the bedroom, but later briefly ventured downstairs again to say hello, and to survey his new territory.

William is now happily settled in his new home, and very much loved by his new owners.  To Jim and his wife we say a huge thank you for your quick response, prompt actions, and overall kindness!

To the rescue centre we say that welfare & charity should come before profit.

To William's previous owner what can we say!  Well, you know who you are!

(1)  This figure has been corrected, initially we believed it was only £40.