A Life of Hardship in a Testing Lab
Marigold For over 12 years, an orange tabby cat lived inside a testing laboratory at the University of California, Davis. She was known only as #11-245. Her existence was marked by confinement, experiments, and anonymity, with no home to call her own. Her life changed forever. White Coat Waste, an organization dedicated to ending taxpayer-funded animal experiments, successfully shut down the lab. They also ended its breeding colony.
The remaining cats needed loving homes, and Anthony Bellotti, founder and president of White Coat Waste, stepped up.
A New Start
Bellotti shared, “When my organization shut down the lab, I knew I wanted to adopt one of the rescued cats.” “After losing Petite, another cat I had rescued from a lab, I was ready to open my heart again. But as they say, ‘You don’t choose the cat, the cat chooses you.’”
Among the cats, one particularly nervous orange feline caught his attention. Having spent her entire life in a lab, she was underweight, hesitant, and refused to eat initially. Yet, when she locked eyes with Bellotti, an unspoken bond formed.
The Birth of Marigold
For over a decade, this cat had only been identified by her lab number. The number was tattooed inside her ears. Bellotti knew she deserved better—a name that represented her transformation and vibrant spirit. He named her Marigold, inspired by her striking orange coat, reminiscent of the marigold flower.
In just a few months, Marigold blossomed in her new home. Gone were the days of fear and hunger. She gained weight, rediscovered her appetite, and even became “food-crazy,” eagerly demanding treats.
Thriving in Her Forever Home
“Marigold is doing amazing,” Bellotti said. “She’s healthy, happy, and thriving. We just celebrated her very first birthday outside the lab. It was her 13th. The celebration was complete with a small party and her first KitNipBox.”
Firsts Worth Celebrating for Marigold
Marigold has embraced life’s simple joys: playing with catnip toys, making biscuits, and being showered with love. Her days in the lab are now a distant memory.
A Family to Call Her Own
Marigold’s story is a testament to resilience and the transformative power of love. For the first time in her life, she has a family that cherishes her unconditionally.
“Marigold is more than just a pet to us,” Bellotti shared. “She’s a reminder of why we fight to give animals a second chance at life.”
Related: After 3 Years at the Shelter, Sweet Cat with Manx Syndrome Finally Finds His Forever Home
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