Some WRETCHED, wicked people in a house behind mine moved a few months ago, and left 2 cats to fend for themselves. This one of them. I swore I would never get involved in rescuing Kitties anymore; it rarely ends well. I heard them crying plaintively and pitifully night after night, and I resisted. Once you start feeding them, you can't stop. But, when I saw this poor creature ravenous enough to eat unbelievably sour Crabapples (inedible for humans) that I put out for the birds, I relented. I couldn't stand it any longer. Before he fled, I saw his mangled, abcessed ear. My kindly vet gave me some antibiotics to put in his food. My also kindly neighbor gave me permission to feed him (them) on her property; it might cause problems with my landlord. I had to get him accustomed to a feeding station and a "schedule." That done in short order, I had to be with him morning and evening while he ate (for 2 weeks) so I could be sure that only HE got the "antibiotic" food. It's been almost a month now, and his ear has healed thoroughly, though I am not not sure he hears well out of it. He acts feral, but evidentally, he feels safer now, since he rests and grooms in the shade nearby when I am in the Garden. It has been impossible to get anywhere near him. but I have been working patiently and tenderly on that. A few days ago, he allowed me to touch him for the 1st time!! Just a single, short stroke with my forefinger on his head (while he was eating.) So we're making progress. I gave him a name but no, I cannot keep him or his pal (to be shown later) My goal is to keep him putting on weight, worm him, and socialize him more. Then if all goes well, he can be a "barn kitty" on the small farm of an aquaintance. To be continued.....
Greetings! I'm from Connecticut (USA) Photography is one of my lifelong passions (others including gardening, woodworking, history, and being a part...
Oh, Leslie, people just make me so mad with their attitude that pets -- especially cats -- are disposable. This is such a handsome boy. Nice DOF and focus on his eyes here, and thanks for taking care of him!
@sjoblues Hi Shannon, lovely of you to be so kind and supportive. Aren't those eyes amazing! He's a good boy, and I'm sure he's been through a lot. Our feral cat population is off the charts. The attitude of Animal Control is also obnoxious. They consider cats to be "free range" animals, and so will not help. (I've been through this many times before.) I bust their ass, call their supervisor, and persist. Their "no-fail" excuse is: "How can you PROVE it doesn't belong to someone else?" Asshats!! They did come through twice, so at least I'll give them that. Thanks for stopping Shannon, and take care, Les
It's so difficult to understand people like that. I'm so glad he's found you to take care of him, even though I know all the difficulties involved. Imagine the poor thing trying to eat crabapples! It doesn't bear thinking about... Glad to know he'll eventually have a happy home in the barn.
@glimpses Leslie, are there are groups that do TNR -- trap-neuter-release -- of feral cats in your area? Do you know if this guy has been neutered? I reluctantly agree that many feral cats are, in fact, wild animals, but their populations can be successfully managed with TNR.
Bless you for helping these poor guys. I have just started feeding and caring for a feral cat also. Just what I need. I haven't touched her/him yet, but it will sit with me there.
A beautiful cat,lovely eyes!! It's wonderful that you're sparing time to tend to him,and that he's gradually responding to you! I expect he has no trust of humans if he has been neglected or maltreated.
