This post is about finding the right forever home for Nezabudka and Harley — together. It’s not a rushed decision, and it’s not an easy one. It comes from years of experience and a deep desire to protect their peace as they transition out of our breeding program.
Ideally, we would love for them to move to their new home after their kittens go home, in early to mid-April, allowing for a thoughtful, gentle transition for everyone involved. Full details are below.
As I’m waiting for Nezabudka’s final litter to be born (she has stolen Taiga's kittens, and is hanging out under the couch or in the nest with them), I find myself thinking ahead to what comes next for her — and for Harley. This is a post I should have written sooner, but if we’re being honest, I’ve kept putting it off because if we had our way, they would both be staying with us forever. We love them deeply, and letting them go will be incredibly hard.
Over the years, though, we’ve learned something important about our queens. Once they are spayed, they don’t enjoy living in an active breeding environment anymore — especially around kittens. We’ve seen this time and time again, and I don’t want Nezabudka’s final chapter with us to be stressful or uncomfortable. I want her last memories here to be peaceful, loving, and full of dignity. That means finding her perfect forever home before that transition happens.
That perfect home must also be the perfect home for Harley.
Nezabudka and Harley are deeply bonded. They have been together since the day we picked Harley up from the airport — just a couple of months after Nezabudka came home to us. They are a matched set in every way, and we will not separate them.
Harley is a special case, and his history matters. Before coming to us, he spent his first three and a half years in a very limited environment. Like many breeders, his breeder kept males in a separate room at the back of the house. He had never seen an adult man, and the breeder herself was essentially the only person he interacted with regularly.
His transition to our home was very difficult. For several months, we truly weren’t sure he would ever adjust. At one point, we even lined up a potential new home for him. Then, just one week before he was scheduled to leave, everything changed — Harley allowed Alexander to pet him. Not long after that, Alexander was able to hold him, and the two of them have since formed a strong bond of their own.
As much as we wish we could keep them both, we know that once Nezabudka is spayed, neither of them will be happy staying here. We have also seen intact males react badly after their bonded females are spayed, sometimes even attacking them — and I could not live with that risk. Because of this, we’ve made the heartbreaking decision to retire them together, at the same time.
We are going to be extremely selective about the home we choose.
Their ideal home would be:
- Someone who is home most of the time
- A home without dogs (They are not used to them)
- Possibly a home where they are the only pets, or only with other neutered cats (no sense inviting hormone-based trouble)
Ideally, we would love a family who lives close enough to Alexander in Plano to visit regularly. Our dream scenario would be for you to spend time with Nezabudka and Harley over the next few months, allowing them to get to know you gradually and comfortably before the kittens go home. After that, we would like them to transition to their new home fairly soon. We have a new male arriving on January 24 who is currently still a kitten, but as he matures, we want to be proactive and avoid any potential stress or conflict for Harley.
If there happens to be a man in the household who reminds Harley of Alexander, that would be wonderful — but we trust that the right family will find us, exactly as they are meant to.
If this feels like something you may be interested in, please reach out. You’re welcome to complete our Retired Cat Adoption Application, and you are always encouraged to call, text, or email with any questions that aren’t answered here.
Thank you for reading — and for understanding how much love is behind this decision.
Please note: this placement will be handled with great care, and not all inquiries will be the right fit. If this pair isn’t the right match for your home, we’re always happy to keep you in mind for future retirees.
