You’ve got to be an amazing cat if your introductory line is: “0% Photohopped. 100% born this way” — and if you I saw Venus the two-faced Chimera cat, we bet you yourself did it twice to make sure she was really born that way! Even Snopes.com (the go-to guide to online hoaxes) had to think about it, confirming that the flower is in fact the real deal. However, despite her amazing looks and the fact that she has garnered hundreds of thousands of fans worldwide following her on Facebook and Instagram, Venus is a natural feline with a love for cardboard boxes and a tendency, at times, to be bossy towards canines! She is now using the media attention she has received to highlight causes near and dear to her heart, including educating the public about the importance of spaying and neutering their pets, volunteering in Trap, Neuter, Release (TNR) programs for breeds to reduce the number of animals in shelters, and offering support For rescue operations without killing.
Venus, as a former stray, can personally attest that the efforts of just one individual can lead to a better life for countless animals in need. In our recent conversation with Venus, she tells us about how she feels about the attention she gets anywhere she goes, whether or not she has a double personality to match her looks, and offers advice on how to everyone We can feel so comfortable in our own fur.
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Thanks for talking to us, Venus! You are definitely the one in a million kitty so we are very excited to have the opportunity to ask you a few questions. First, how do you feel about all the attention you’re receiving online and off for your awesome coloring?
I love attention! I love posing on pics, and sometimes my mama gets pics of me without even knowing. She tells me all the sweet things people say and what girl doesn’t love that kind of attention?
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Does it hurt your feelings when people think your pictures should be a photograph?
No, because honestly, if I didn’t know I was real, I probably would have thought I was a photoshoot too, heh!
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There might be two sides to your personality as well? If so, what are they?
Nope, just one character, but I can get a little territorial and head-scratching at times, even towards dogs.
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We think the decision to name you after the goddess of beauty and love was a perfect one, as you are a very beautiful cat. If your mom doesn’t mind letting us know, what other names are in the show for you and how did you finally decide on Venus?
There were a few names, but the only other I could think of was Moo-Moo because I was born on a dairy farm. My mama and her friend at work wanted to think of something that matched my personality and looked at the same time. They thought Venus was the longing because they thought I was lovable and beautiful just like the Roman goddess of beauty and beauty.
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Do you have any words of encouragement for other cats and humans who were born a little different and might have a hard time dealing with them?
The best answer to this is a quote from Dr. Seuss, “Why do you fit in with your birthdate?” If we all looked at the same thing, it would be rather boring. Everyone is special and unique in their own way. Take it proud and learn to love your perfect imperfections.
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What do you prefer: boxes or paper bags?
BOXES …….. Definitely BOXES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Finally, we think it’s great that your amazing appearance has helped you raise awareness of the many cats around the world that need forever homes. We’d love to know about cat-supported rescues and what the rest of us can do to help.
I love being able to help raise awareness through my popularity on social media. There are plenty of cats out there, like myself and I was born like Waterfalls with no place to call home. This is one of the biggest problems facing shelters today. There are too many cats (and dogs) and just not enough space. If more people were going to get pets stomached and neutered and/or involved in TNR (trap, sharp, release) in feral/stray colonies more shelters could commit to becoming no-kill shelters. When they have 3 times more to come in than they can adopt, it doesn’t leave them with much choice which is sad. There are a few no-kill shelters and private rescues that we regularly support, rely on and/or use for low-cost spay and neuter. The Florida Humane Society is a non-profit, non-profit sanctuary that started from founder Carol Ebert’s car in the 1990s and built into what it is today. This is where I adopted Ginger Mama 9 years ago, and also where I adopted Roo from last November after Mojo’s death, when she went to give them donations she got in lieu of presents for her surprise 40th birthday party (oops, I mean 29) (Dad knew she’d prefer That people donate from buying their stuff). They saw Roo, heard his story and knew he had to become part of the family in Honor & Tribute Mojo, BFF. Good Karma Pet Rescue of South Florida – is another private, not-for-profit rescue we’ve beefed up. Yoshi, our mentioned Shiba Inu (same breed as Halo) came from this rescue. Cats Exclusive is a homeless shelter, but also provides low-cost veterinary care, grooming, and neutering. They have a lot of “permanent residents” that have been with them for years because they never adopted and probably never will. And finally, Stray Aid is the low cost spay/neuter clinic we used a lot on TNR. They are also a not-to-kill non-profit rescue. They have a mobile spay/neuter truck which makes it very convenient for people to bring cats and dogs to spay and neuter to help control pets. And Mama hopes that one day we can raise enough cash to put another portable/neutral truck on the road to help out even more.
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