Kuza’s Story: A Profound Reminder to Cat-Proof Your Home

In February of 2022, Damian and his family welcomed Kuza into their home with open arms. A shy but gentle cat, Kuza had found her way to Damian through a Facebook post from a stranger. As first-time pet owners and without any sort of handover or proper guidance on what to prepare or keep an eye out for, the family relied on instinct when it came to getting Kuza ready for her new home.

Damian, his mother, his wife, and their three daughters all doted on Kuza, showering her with an endless amount of love and attention, wanting her to feel safe and comfortable. They adored her mild nature and the gentle way she interacted with their little girls. It wasn’t long before Kuza quickly became a beloved member of the family.

However, the family overlooked an important aspect of keeping a cat safe—properly cat-proofing their home.

The windows of the condo where the family stayed were often closed or only left slightly ajar, but weren’t meshed or netted. This was an oversight that none of them saw coming, when one tragic day in September 2022, Kuza went missing. A frantic search and a heartbreaking conversation with a security guard led them to discover that Kuza had accidentally leapt from their window on the tenth-floor. She had wanted to follow the girls as they crossed the road to school, a scene she often witnessed from her perch at the window.

Kuza’s loss was more than devastating for the entire family, especially Damian’s daughters. It is never easy to lose a pet, and regardless of the time spent with the family, Kuza’s absence was well-felt throughout the household. For months, even mentioning her name would invoke that same heartbreak, that feeling of loss from that one fateful day.

It was a long time before the family could decide to adopt another cat. But, rather than searching online, the family went to an animal shelter instead. The experience was vastly different from the first time around—the shelter provided comprehensive advice on caring for a cat, conducted thorough checks on Damian’s home to ensure it was properly cat-proofed, and made sure that the cat was going to a loving family. It was what Damian wishes they’d experienced when getting Kuza.

Their new cat Biscuit has been part of the family for a year now, but Kuza will never be forgotten. Her story serves as a poignant reminder that first-time pet owners have to be prepared, do thorough research and ensure that their homes are safe when they bring a pet home. Even simple measures like securing windows and balconies may be the difference between a lifelong friend and a tragic accident. Let us never forget to do our best to ensure that our pets are whole and hale for as long as they’re with us.