Erin
Apr. 22, 2009, 03:14 PM
I helped with a big cat-trapping project in my neighborhood a few weeks ago. As usual, most of the "feral" cats we trapped were actually tame cats tossed out by their previous owners. :rolleyes:
This particular fellow had really bad wounds under each ear. They were a bloody infected mess... I suppose from scratching at fleas or earmites? He did not act friendly, but I wanted to let him hang out in a crate rather than releasing him right away, to give his ears a chance to heal up.
Well, it soon became obvious that he was no feral cat. ;) He's not afraid of people at all, as I discovered when he twice zipped out of his crate and spent a few hours wandering leisurely around my basement. I can pet him and he purrs, but he's also a bit defensive and will swat if he feels threatened. (Not trying to hurt you or anything -- just a "hey, out of my space!" kind of thing.) He'll get over that, I'm sure, as he gets used to people being nice to him. I haven't even attempted to pick him up. ;) But he's obviously a former pet, not a feral, and should come back around to acting like a pet in time... he's just not exactly a primo adoption candidate and would probably rather be doing his own thing at a barn.
Now, I did NOT get him FIV/FELV tested when he was neutered because I didn't realize he was friendly. I can get that done if someone wants it done (and it should be done if you have other barn cats). He's an outgoing guy, talkative, loves to eat, not timid... just not really housecat material.
I haven't really thought of a name for him yet... :uhoh: I just call him Big Guy! Haven't taken a picture yet, but will add one shortly. He's just a typical big brown tabby. :)
He would need to be crated for a while at his new home, and I can lend a crate and other supplies. Happy to deliver him anywhere within reasonable driving distance!
This particular fellow had really bad wounds under each ear. They were a bloody infected mess... I suppose from scratching at fleas or earmites? He did not act friendly, but I wanted to let him hang out in a crate rather than releasing him right away, to give his ears a chance to heal up.
Well, it soon became obvious that he was no feral cat. ;) He's not afraid of people at all, as I discovered when he twice zipped out of his crate and spent a few hours wandering leisurely around my basement. I can pet him and he purrs, but he's also a bit defensive and will swat if he feels threatened. (Not trying to hurt you or anything -- just a "hey, out of my space!" kind of thing.) He'll get over that, I'm sure, as he gets used to people being nice to him. I haven't even attempted to pick him up. ;) But he's obviously a former pet, not a feral, and should come back around to acting like a pet in time... he's just not exactly a primo adoption candidate and would probably rather be doing his own thing at a barn.
Now, I did NOT get him FIV/FELV tested when he was neutered because I didn't realize he was friendly. I can get that done if someone wants it done (and it should be done if you have other barn cats). He's an outgoing guy, talkative, loves to eat, not timid... just not really housecat material.
I haven't really thought of a name for him yet... :uhoh: I just call him Big Guy! Haven't taken a picture yet, but will add one shortly. He's just a typical big brown tabby. :)
He would need to be crated for a while at his new home, and I can lend a crate and other supplies. Happy to deliver him anywhere within reasonable driving distance!