When Lambinator — affectionately called Lamby — first arrived at Austin Pets Alive! in August 2023, she seemed like many other shelter cats waiting for a second chance.
But within days, her rescuers noticed something unusual. Instead of gravitating toward balls or feathers like the others, Lamby was enchanted by one very specific kind of toy: stuffed lambs.
The sight of the soft animals made her eyes sparkle.
A Cat Who Found Comfort In Lambs
Soon, one lamb turned into two, and then more. By now, she has collected an entire flock of them.
Ten little stuffed sheep sit tucked around her bed and play area, each one lovingly carried, cuddled, or batted around as if it were alive.
Her attachment is so strong that staff members joke the shelter’s cattery may soon be overrun if she isn’t adopted quickly. While her plush companions bring comfort, they are no replacement for the steady love of a permanent home.
Her rescuers often smile when they see her snuggled in the middle of her collection, but behind those moments lies a real urgency.
Lamby has been waiting too long for someone to notice her. Every day that passes without a family adds to her stress, no matter how many lambs keep her company.
A Bright Spirit Facing Special Challenges
Part of the reason Lamby is still waiting is that she isn’t the easiest cat to place.
A past tail pull injury left her incontinent, meaning she requires a little extra help with her bladder and sometimes wears diapers.
To many potential adopters, this sounds like a big hurdle. But those who know her best say that it barely registers once you see the kind of soul she is.
Lamby greets everyone as though they are long-lost friends. She is often the first face visitors see when they step into the shelter, trotting up with eager eyes and a contagious energy.
Her personality shines so brightly that staff call her a “one-cat welcome committee.” She doesn’t just lighten the room — she transforms it.
What makes her even more special is her ability to create joy in unexpected ways. She can turn an empty box into an adventure, splash happily in tubs of water, or perch confidently on a shoulder to survey her world. Her resilience is remarkable.
Instead of letting her medical condition weigh her down, she seems determined to prove that life is meant to be lived with enthusiasm.
Her love is not limited to people. Lamby gets along with other cats, has befriended dogs of all sizes, and shows a gentleness toward children that makes her a wonderful companion for families.
The little things she needs — patience, routine care, and a diaper here and there — fade quickly in comparison to the warmth she offers in return.
Hoping For A Forever Home
The shelter staff and volunteers who care for Lamby know she is ready to thrive in a home of her own. They describe her as a free spirit who loves to cuddle, explore, and be close to her people.
She has already spent short periods in foster homes, where she proved she could adapt easily and bring happiness into daily life.
Still, a foster bed is only temporary. What she longs for is a place where she will never again be overlooked.
Rescuers believe she could flourish almost anywhere — in a lively family household, with another friendly pet, or in a quiet home where someone is simply willing to love her.
All she needs is someone willing to see past her condition and recognize the affectionate, playful companion beneath it.
For now, Lamby curls up with her flock of lamb stuffies, the toys that remind her she is never truly alone. But her story is far from over. Somewhere out there is a person who will see her not as a challenge, but as the extraordinary cat she is.
When that day comes, she will trade her shelter pen for a lap, her temporary flock for the love of a family, and her waiting days for a lifetime of belonging.
Until then, her rescuers continue to hope — and Lamby continues to greet every new face with the same joy, ready to finally meet the family who will call her their own.
To give Lamby the forever home she deserves, reach out to Austin Pets Alive! and learn how you can welcome her into your family.