Kobi's sort of like Mr. Wilson in Dennis the Menace: a gruff exterior with a bunch of tender insides. The problem is, people looking for a new kitty don't want gruff. They want cuddly or, at a minimum, a cat who will tolerate them. This cat, who has lived in a shelter in Palm Harbor since October 2017, isn't exactly cuddly.
He's more, as shelter director Rick Chaboudy calls him, "a badass."
And that isn't exactly something people are searching for on Petfinder, which is why Kobi's been at the Palm Harbor shelter longer than any other kitty.
To be clear, Kobi isn't a feral cat — even if, as Chaboudy says, he "acts like he's from the mean streets." No, he's simply a regal-looking cat who simply doesn't have time for your nonsense, but, hey, if you want to give him a belly rub, he's down for it.
So long as it's exactly three belly rubs. Attempt a fourth and Kobi will take you to school.
"Kobi suffers no fools and is ready to scrap at any moment," Chaboudy adds. So why would anyone want to adopt him?
Welp, it turns out, Kobi has a softer side — he loves pets and basically any attention. But when he's done, he's done. Unfortunately, no one's seen past his crusty exterior.
We know someone out there has a hole in their kitty-loving heart that can only be filled by a more-than-20-pound kitty who loves on his own terms. Inquire about Kobi via suncoastanimalleague.org or by emailing info@suncoastanimalleague.org. Call 727-786-1330 if you'd rather hear someone's voice.
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This article appears in Dec 13-20, 2018.