Background information
Adopting a cat, part 3: those turbulent first 24 hours
by Darina Schweizer
Adopting a cat, part 2: the difficult decision
5-2-2025
Translation: Patrik Stainbrook
I’ve finally found an animal shelter that has indoor cats. Time for my first visit. Only, I start panicking. What if there isn’t a cat we like? Or what if we make the wrong choice?
My heart is pounding as my husband and I get off the train in Dübendorf. A few more steps and we reach Chatzestübli, where we have an appointment with manager Uschi Macias. She’ll introduce us to her shelter cats – and with a bit of luck, we’ll fall in love with two furry friends.
When Uschi opens the door, my first impression from the previous phone call is confirmed: she’s a charming woman with a big heart. She cares deeply about her four-legged treasures going to homes that suit them. And above all, to the right people. But as she opens the door to the cat kingdom, I’m not concerned about who’ll fit in with us. Rather, who will we fit in with?
I much prefer the little tiger that caresses against my legs: Haru. He grew up in a Romanian animal shelter. Olly, a Romanian tricolour (also known as a calico), follows him wherever he goes. She was abandoned, or rather «thrown out» like trash. «These two are our loving couple. Ever since they met at Chatzestübli, they’ve been one heart and one soul,» says Uschi.
My heart fills with love as Haru looks at me with wide eyes. «Don’t rush it,» I think to myself and avoid his gaze. I want to give every cat a chance.
Suddenly, a grey and white tomcat rushes past me. «That’s Flash,» says Uschi. I mean, who else could it be? «He hasn’t found a companion at the shelter yet.» The beautiful cat looks at me, no fear in his eyes. This guy seems to know exactly what he wants. I like him too.
When the visit is over, we leave Chatzestübli with a heavy, but nevertheless fulfilled heart. On my return to the station, my first impression is confirmed: Haru and Olly have won me over. «It’s obvious, isn’t it?», I ask my husband. He nods and says: «Yes. One of them will definitely be Lorenzo.»
Follow my profile if you want to know who moves in with us and how the first night goes. And if you’re interested in the cats above, you can contact Chatzestübli.
Header image: Reshetnikov_art/Shutterstock
Darina Schweizer
Senior Editor
Darina.Schweizer@digitecgalaxus.chI love anything with four legs or roots - especially my shelter cats Jasper and Joy and my collection of succulents. My favourite things to do are stalking around with police dogs and cat coiffeurs on reportages or letting sensitive stories flourish in garden brockis and Japanese gardens.
Background information
Interesting facts about products, behind-the-scenes looks at manufacturers and deep-dives on interesting people.
Show all
