Etain’s Long Journey Home

Miso arrived at Rancho Coastal Humane Society on October 30, 2019. At that point, we had no clue that it would be 1,251 days until she would be adopted.   

Miso was transferred from a rescue partner in Riverside County through FOCAS (Friends of County Animal Shelters.) She was dealing with some pretty serious skin issues. Even though she was in pain, she craved attention and purred every time she got some. 

She underwent treatment here at the shelter for several months. Once our veterinary team was confident that Miso was out of the woods, she went into care home with a trained volunteer and her cats. The foster sent this to us three weeks later: 

Miso is a great cat. She is intensely food motivated, so once she learns that you are her food source, she quickly buddies up to you and you become her best friend.   

Miso was doing well in her foster home, but we knew she needed the right forever home. We featured her as Pet of the Week several times online, on the radio and in newspapers and magazines. 

Then, one morning RCHS President Judi Sanzo suggested that we change her name. Judi had done her homework and, within minutes, “Miso” became “Etain”. Her new name is associated with healing, as Etain is the Goddess of Love, Transformation and Rebirth.   

With her new namesake, Etain was getting the attention she deserved. On April 3, 2023, exactly three years, five months, and five days after her arrival at RCHS, Etain was adopted! Her adopter arrived with a plan – as a lifelong cat person, he was looking for a senior, Tabby cat who had been at the shelter the longest. He asked, “Why so long?” We said, “She is an amazing cat with a great back story. Apparently, she just was waiting for you!”    

Etain’s adoption is a story of patience. Your ongoing support lets RCHS invest the time needed to provide the proper care for all of the companion animals who come through our gate. Her story also shines the spotlight on our incredible fosters and the impact they make on the lives of those in our care.