Winning whiskers … Proud owner Susan O’Connell always knew her precious moggie wasspecial. 53936Picture: SARAH MATRAY
By Natalie Gallenti
JUST as her name suggests, Theodora is a regal feline and she has the goods to back it up.
Recently judged as one of the most perfect pussy cats in a nation-wide online competition, the Tullamarine cat won a whopping $10,000 in prize money, after receiving thousands of votes from cat lovers.
And her proud owners have vowed to donate the money to Pet Haven, the Woodend pro-life shelter that first rescued her.
Excited owner Susan O’Connell, who volunteers at the shelter, said she fell in love with Theodora the moment she saw her and decided to adopt her, despite living in an already cramped two-bedroom unit that housed two adults, a toddler and a Labrador.
“It’s a full house. But everyone co-exists,” Ms O’Connell said.
The animal lover said she still couldn’t believe her precious moggie, who was without a home for almost a year, would be on the packaging of cat food products as soon as next year.
“I still can’t believe it. I’m so proud.
“She is the cat that nobody wanted.”
Ms O’Connell said the decision to donate the money to the shelter was an easy one.
“$10,000 won’t buy me a new car or pay off my mortgage, but it will make a huge difference to them.”
She called on all pet owners to vaccinate and de-sex their animals to avoid them ending up sick and lonely, caged in overcrowded animal shelters.
