An Unexpected Encounter: The Heartwarming Rescue of Friday the Cat
In life, some things are simply meant to be, even when they begin with a mishap. What started as a casual night out in Ukraine quickly transformed into a life-changing event for one animal-loving traveller. Little did they know, a reservation mix-up at a restaurant in Lviv would lead to the rescue of two tiny, vulnerable kittens – setting off an incredible journey that crossed countries, tested determination, and ended in a unique friendship.
A Twist of Fate
Had their restaurant reservation not been mistakenly cancelled, the route home would have been entirely different. Instead, navigating the backstreets of Lviv late at night led them to two fragile kittens, abandoned and close to starvation. Without hesitation, the kittens were scooped up and brought to safety.
Friday huddled with Croc
Crossing Borders for Love
Determined to help, one kitten was swiftly rehomed locally. But the second kitten, a tabby affectionately named “Friday,” stole their heart and refused to let go. With time running out before their return flight home, an ambitious decision was made: to bring Friday back to the UK. This was no easy feat – requiring quarantine, veterinary clearances, and a cross-country journey by road. Yet months later, after careful planning and anticipation, Friday finally arrived at her new home in the UK, shaken but safe.
A Friendship Unlike Any Other
A Friendship Unlike Any OtherToday, Friday isn’t just surviving – she’s thriving. She has become an inseparable companion, sharing a bond with her rescuer that can only be described as extraordinary. With her quirky personality and expressive nature, Friday brings joy and laughter every day, proving that sometimes the smallest paws leave the biggest prints on our hearts.
From Rescue to Instagram Star
Celebrating her remarkable journey and delightful personality, Friday has even amassed a loyal following on Instagram. Spreading positivity, awareness, and the joy of animal rescue, she’s become a mini-celebrity in her own right.
Read the full interview below for the captivating details of Friday’s rescue and her heartwarming new life…
Can you tell us how you found the cats in the first place?
I was in Ukraine on holiday meeting with my wife’s family back in 2018 (before the war). We booked a table at a restaurant, but there was an error, and our reservation was messed up. Not knowing at the time, this changed our plans and you could say unless this error happened we would never have found the cats!
Whilst walking home, late at night down the back streets of Lviv, there was a man next to his car, talking to a lady, it was about the cats but I couldn’t understand them. My wife translated that the man had stopped because they were in the middle of the road and didn’t want them getting run over, and the lady was explaining she was unable to take them. I held them both and told my now mother-in-law that there is no way we are leaving them. It took some convincing because she already had cats, but I insisted and we returned to her house with them.
What condition were they in?
I’m no expert, but they were both tiny, frail, hungry, and weak. I’m pretty sure they might have starved to death had we not taken them home. You get wild dogs in Ukraine, so they could’ve easily been dinner too! I am a huge animal lover so was determined to do what I could to make sure the cute kittens survived. Even after getting them home, it was not clear they would survive the night. The next day though, luckily they both started to perk up and eat.
What was your thought process at the time on what to do next?
Firstly, get them home, warm, dry and food in their tummies! Then take it step-by-step. We named the white kitten Croc (because she nipped quite a bit), and the tabby kitten Friday (because it was Friday when we found them).
What made you decide to keep Friday?
The next day we took them to a local vet to get them checked and there was nothing seriously wrong, other than they needed food, water and rest. We only had a few days left in Ukraine and initially, my plan was to try and rehome them. I joined lots of Lviv Facebook Groups and started posting about the adorable kittens. I managed to rehome the white cat to someone local. With time running out, and no one showing interest in taking the second cat (who was always my favourite of the two), I started to wonder if it was possible to bring her back, somehow.
She was adorable, and she would cuddle up with me. We researched and surprisingly found out it was doable. The process was lengthy, it involved a quarantine period, Friday needed a pet passport and other documents, we got her microchipped and paid a company who brought her from Ukraine to UK, by van! This was quite some time after returning home due to the quarantine period. Months later there was a knock at the door in the early hours and it was a man delivering her! She was shook up, but soon started to settle in her new home with her new loving family.
@FridayTabby on Insta
How is your relationship now with Friday, and how is her life?
She is amazing. You see the videos online where people bond with animals, I personally have a relationship like that with her. She follows me absolutely everywhere. She lounges around and always puts her paw out to touch me whilst she naps. She’s quite wild and can have a nip at times but it never hurts, I just accept she has a slightly twisted personality, but I like it, it adds to her character. She growls like a dog if she hears someone knock at the door, her tail goes all bushy. She also has very strange fur where some are short and some are long, I do wonder if there’s any forest cat in her, and clearly, she could easily be a (now domesticated) wild cat, due to how we found her. I can’t imagine life without her. She is one of the luckiest cats on the planet.
What’s her life like, any special stand-out moments?
Honestly, every day with her is special – we’re very close. If I go out for a few hours when I get home, when she hears my voice, she comes running towards me to say hello. I’ve had many pets throughout my life including cats and dogs, and Friday is unique. She is lucky to be alive, equally, we are all lucky to have her in our lives.
Friday even has a large following on Instagram!?
She does! Her handle is @FridayTabby on Instagram. To celebrate her, and her journey I started an Instagram account for her. I think it’s nice to spread the positivity of animal care. It’s also lovely to look back at as a reminder of the full story. We even struck a few brand partnerships in the past! In the world of cats, she’s a mini celeb!
@FridayTabby
Follow @FridayTabby on Instagram.
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