My name is Merida!

Merida's story began on a country farm, where she found sanctuary in a cozy shed and made herself at home. Shortly after, she was surrendered to Ruff Start in an advanced stage of pregnancy. Since then, she has embraced motherhood with grace, lovingly raising her kittens while remaining impressively unbothered by their antics and boundless energy.

Merida is an independent spirit who is learning to trust humans at her own pace. She thoroughly enjoys being petted and scratched but isn’t yet comfortable with being held for extended periods or sitting on laps. However, just before her spay surgery, she made an exception and briefly graced her foster parent's lap—a hopeful hint of her potential to warm up even more over time. For now, she prefers to settle nearby, quietly observing the hustle and bustle of human activities.

When it comes to her resting spots, Merida isn’t one for blankets or cat beds. She prefers stretching out on the floor or lounging on a sunny windowsill. She seems content with feline and canine company through closed doors but hasn’t had direct interactions with other animals. While she doesn’t spend much time with toys or climbing cat trees, she enjoys the occasional game of chase with her kittens and delights in watching their playful antics.

Merida has a unique way of approaching mealtime. Rather than gobbling up her food in one sitting, she grazes throughout the day, savoring a few bites every 30 minutes. A high-backed litterbox suits her best, as she tends to kick up litter, but covered boxes might feel too confining for her. She’s particular about her scratching preferences, favoring scratch boards, which should be readily available.

Her personality is as distinctive as her vocalizations—she has a soft, almost whisper-like chirp for a meow and a guttural, one-of-a-kind purr. And let’s not forget those mesmerizing big eyes and her luxurious chestnut-hued coat that make her a true beauty.

Merida’s mellow demeanor and quiet charm make her a captivating companion, ready to thrive in a patient and understanding home.

One big thing about her you should know is that she has Feline Leukemia but please don’t let that scare you away from adopting her! Click here to learn more about Feline Leukemia.

Merida is from a stray surrender. If you are interested in getting to know this animal better, please fill out an adoption application. An adoption application is the best way to show your interest in an animal and is not a binding contract.

To learn more about Ruff Start’s adoption process and the care our foster animals receive, please visit our How to Adopt page.

If you are unable to adopt but want to help this animal and others in our care, you can donate to support the medical and veterinary needs of all Ruff Start Rescue animals.