How do I contact the shelter about Mr Higgs?

Use the phone, email, or website link in the sidebar of this page. Dierenasiel Utrecht handles screening and the adoption contract directly — TailHarbor doesn't broker the conversation. When you reach out, mention you saw Mr Higgs on TailHarbor so they know which animal you're asking about.

Can I adopt Mr Higgs if I live in another country?

Yes, in most cases. Rescues across Europe routinely place animals abroad — Dierenasiel Utrecht will tell you what they need (EU pet passport, rabies titer, transport coordination) and whether they handle transport themselves or refer you to a partner. Plan for an extra €100–€350 in transport costs depending on distance.

Is Mr Higgs already vetted, vaccinated, and chipped?

Most cats on TailHarbor leave their shelter with sterilization, current vaccinations, microchip ID, and an EU pet passport included in the adoption fee. The vet status on this page reflects what the shelter has reported — ask them directly if you need details on specific vaccines, recent bloodwork, or chronic conditions.

What happens if Mr Higgs isn't the right fit?

Every reputable rescue accepts an animal back if the adoption genuinely doesn't work — that's part of the standard contract. Talk it through with Dierenasiel Utrecht early rather than rehoming privately; they know Mr Higgs and can place them more successfully than a second-hand listing can.

Why does the description sometimes read awkwardly?

TailHarbor translates shelter descriptions into English from the source language (NL). Translation is imperfect — names of streets, donors, and shelter-specific terms occasionally slip through unidiomatically. For the cleanest read, click the source link to see the shelter's original page.

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Available

Mr Higgs

European Shorthair · Male · Senior · 12 years

Mr. Higgs was found in his home after his owner passed away. It is clear that he and his owner had been living together for a long time. He does not seem to like strangers, and no one has come to claim him or tell us anything about him. Fortunately, Mr. Higgs tells us everything we need to know about himself. He is already chipped and is approximately 12 years old. Mr. Higgs is his real name. Not everyone is allowed to call him by his first name (Mister 😉): he needs time to get to know someone and he growls at everyone who comes near him, his way of telling them that he wants some distance. But if you stay calm and take your time, you can give him some treats and pet him a little. He does not enjoy that yet, but it is a sign that he may get used to a new owner over time. As long as that person is polite enough to build the relationship slowly. He also tells us loud and clear that he does not like the other cats in our shelter. Anyone who gets too close is immediately chased away - message received, Mr. Higgs! He is missing a hind leg, which is why he had surgery on it. He copes very well with three legs and it must have been a while since he lost the other one. Because he is missing a hind leg and is also getting older, we are looking for a place where he can live on the ground floor: stairs will be a problem for him (more and more). He does not need to go outside anymore, a nice safe indoor space with plenty of hiding places and possibly a fenced balcony is more than enough for him. The most important thing is that his new owner builds a bond with him with a lot of patience and calm. Giving him the time to get to know each other, and the space to be himself. Someone he does not have to come to immediately or be petted, and who gives him a nice time, in his own way, no matter how long it takes. Do you have a quiet household and do you think it is just as important as Mr. Higgs to build the bond slowly? Then come and see if Mr. Higgs blows you away or not!

NL·Show original

Mr Higgs werd in huis aangetroffen nadat zijn baasje overleden was. Uit alles blijkt dat zijn baasje en hij er al een hele tijd met zn tweetjes voor stonden in het leven. Hij moet maar weinig hebben van vreemde mensen, niemand is voor hem gekomen en niemand kon wat over hem vertellen. Gelukkig vertelt Mr Higgs ons zelf alles wat we moeten weten over hem. Hij was al gechipt en is ongeveer 12 jaar oud. Mr Higgs is dus zijn echte naam. Niet iedereen mag hem zomaar bij zijn voornaam noemen (Mister 😉 ): hij heeft tijd nodig om iemand beter te leren kennen en blaast naar iedereen die bij hem in de buurt komt, zijn manier om te vertellen dat hij wat afstand wil. Maar wie rustig blijft en de tijd neemt, mag hem wat lekkers geven en ook een beetje aaien. Hij geniet daar nog niet van, maar het is wel een teken dat hij met de tijd wel weer kan wennen aan een nieuw baasje. Zolang diegene beleefd genoeg is om het contact rustig op te bouwen. Hij vertelt ons ook luid en duidelijk dat hij een hekel heeft aan de andere katten bij ons. Iedereen die te dicht bij komt wordt acuut weggejaagd – boodschap ontvangen Mr Higgs! Hij mist een achterpoot, waaraan hij dus ooit aan is geopereerd. Hij redt zich heel goed met drie poten en het zal dus al wel een tijdje geleden zijn. Omdat hij een achterpoot mist en toch ook al wat ouder is, zoeken we voor hem wel een plek waar hij gelijkvloers kan wonen: traplopen zal voor hem (steeds meer) een probleem zijn. Naar buiten hoeft hij niet meer, een fijne veilige binnenruimte met voldoende verstopplekken en eventueel een afgezet balkon is voor hem meer dan genoeg. Belangrijkst is dat zijn nieuwe eigenaar met veel rust en geduld een band met hem gaat opbouwen. Hem de tijd geeft om elkaar te leren kennen, en de ruimte om zichzelf te zijn. Iemand waar hij niet gelijk op schoot hoeft te komen of geaaid moet worden en die hem een mooie tijd gunt, op zijn manier, hoe lang die ook is. Heeft u een rustig huishouden en vindt u het net zo belangrijk als Mr Higgs om de band rustig op te bouwen? Kom dan eens kijken of u door Mr Higgs weggeblazen wordt of niet!

Size

—

Age

Senior · 12 years

Location

🇳🇱Utrecht

Shelter

Dierenasiel Utrecht

Living with Mr Higgs

✓Neutered
✓Microchipped
✓Good with cats
✕Good with kids

Cared for by Dierenasiel Utrecht · Utrecht Learn about European Shorthair →

More cats in Utrecht →More cats in Netherlands →

Listed 1 week ago

Bringing Mr Higgs home

What you'll need for Mr Higgs in week one.

Hand-picked · prices indicative

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About Mr Higgs

What life with Mr Higgs looks like

Mr Higgs is a senior european shorthair cat waiting at Dierenasiel Utrecht in Utrecht.

Senior cats are the gentlest house guests: predictable, mostly silent, and grateful for a sunny windowsill. Older cats often have minor dental or kidney issues — keep an eye on water intake and weight. Many sleep eighteen hours a day and want no part of any drama.

🇳🇱Adopting from Netherlands

Dutch shelters typically require a household assessment and an adoption contract. Animals are routinely sterilized, microchipped, and registered in the national pet database (NDG) before placement.

Utrecht, Netherlands — browse more cats in Netherlands.

Frequently asked

Adopting Mr Higgs, answered.

How do I contact the shelter about Mr Higgs?: Use the phone, email, or website link in the sidebar of this page. Dierenasiel Utrecht handles screening and the adoption contract directly — TailHarbor doesn't broker the conversation. When you reach out, mention you saw Mr Higgs on TailHarbor so they know which animal you're asking about.
Can I adopt Mr Higgs if I live in another country?: Yes, in most cases. Rescues across Europe routinely place animals abroad — Dierenasiel Utrecht will tell you what they need (EU pet passport, rabies titer, transport coordination) and whether they handle transport themselves or refer you to a partner. Plan for an extra €100–€350 in transport costs depending on distance.
Is Mr Higgs already vetted, vaccinated, and chipped?: Most cats on TailHarbor leave their shelter with sterilization, current vaccinations, microchip ID, and an EU pet passport included in the adoption fee. The vet status on this page reflects what the shelter has reported — ask them directly if you need details on specific vaccines, recent bloodwork, or chronic conditions.
What happens if Mr Higgs isn't the right fit?: Every reputable rescue accepts an animal back if the adoption genuinely doesn't work — that's part of the standard contract. Talk it through with Dierenasiel Utrecht early rather than rehoming privately; they know Mr Higgs and can place them more successfully than a second-hand listing can.
Why does the description sometimes read awkwardly?: TailHarbor translates shelter descriptions into English from the source language (NL). Translation is imperfect — names of streets, donors, and shelter-specific terms occasionally slip through unidiomatically. For the cleanest read, click the source link to see the shelter's original page.