Affectionate young Lovebug is a Scottish Fold Cat who came into мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±â€™s care after his previous owners moved home and could not take him with them.
Like many cats of his breed, Lovebug suffers from health issues due to his exaggerated features. мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½± vets confirmed he suffers from ‘Scottish Fold Disease’ - a genetic mutation that affects the development of cartilage. It’s this health issue that gives Lovebug his folded over ears – an appearance that is desirable to a lot of people, making Scottish Fold cats a popular pet choice, despite their health problems.
Lovebug also sadly had a heart deformity, which he has had since birth and may also be related to his breed’s extreme characteristics. At this stage he is coping well with his condition, and this is not causing him any issues. Some cats with congenital heart conditions can live normal, long lives. However, it is very difficult to predict prognosis and our rehoming and clinic teams had to have honest conversations with any potential new owners about what to expect when adopting a Scottish Fold cat with medical issues.
мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½± has long campaigned against the practice of extreme breeding of certain breeds of dog and cat. Animals like Lovebug are forced to suffer lifelong health issues for the sake of having certain desirable physical traits like folded ears and squashed faces.
мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½± recently joined other animal welfare organisations to publicly criticise the use of a Scottish Fold cat in a new film, Argylle. The star of the cat has exaggerated features and was also filmed being carried in a cat backpack, both in the film and in real life at the film’s premiere. Charities have encouraged film studios not to use animals with exaggerated features, as it further fuels demand for these animals with health issues.
Fortunately for Lovebug, a new family came along to offer him the ideal home and now he happily enjoys snuggling up for cuddles every evening with them on the sofa.