YEEEHAAAAH!
Here he is, from wretched street stray to beloved house cat. All in one night. That was easy. For those of you who don't know, this striped stray kitty has been hanging around our house for probably about six months now.
We were not able to catch him in our humane trap and I was forced to watch him slowly starve to death right before my eyes. The neighbor's kids were also very worried, and they were becoming attached to him.
Well after several weeks of worrying and frustration, we decided to give up on the trap and try to get him eating at our porch on a regular schedule. He was becoming emaciated and coming around less and less. I only saw him once every three or four days.
But last night he appeared on the front porch, and I tried a different strategy: I put some tuna fish on a plate and simply opened the downstairs door. Wouldn't you know it, he walked right in.
That doesn't work with most strays. But of course he panicked big time when I shut the door behind him, and I have no idea how I managed to get him into his private room. But I did and we managed to move some furniture in there to make him comfortable.
By the way, yes the floor looks dirty but it's just cedar litter. Cats manage to spread it everywhere, and it's easy to vacuum up. But there's no way on earth I'm going to subject him to the vacuum right now. The room is otherwise very clean. He really likes his catnip mouse. The next huge hurdle is getting him to the vet.
Right now I'm preparing for the worst; he's so thin there's a chance he may be in kidney failure. It wouldn't be surprising; he's been getting food anywhere he can find it, and that can put him at risk for poison ingestion. But we'll just have to wait and see. His appetite has been great, though. If he's healthy, the next giant hurdle will be finding him a home. And of course the minor hurdle, giving him a name.
Cross-posted at The Gray Stray.
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Comments
My kitty had kidney failure/liver tumour. If he's keeping his food down, that's a very good sign. Is he drinking lots of water? Possible kidney problems.
Try the humane trap for the vet. He's ready to coddled and taken care of. Poor baby. Life has not been easy for him so far. Thank you for taking him in.
ahhhhhhhhhh!! Perfect. I won't tell the neighbors, since they're born agains. They would just love that LOL. I'm thinking Edgar Allen might be nice, since the cat wouldn't be confused when he hears "Poe".
Thank you X 6 for the nice words. I have to stop thinking so negatively. He is eating and not drinking excessively at all. The vet is calling me back today for an appt. Getting him in the carrier if he refuses to use the trap will be tough but we don't have much of a choice. I'll be so so glad to have Dr. E see him. She's like an angel / saint. Love her.
If he lets you pet him, all the better. If not, when you're in grabbing proximity, grab kitty by the back of the neck. He may hiss or object. Don't let go. You're not hurting him. When you lift him up by the neck, he'll go limp. Support his rump and just drop him in the carrier. Works like a charm.
Special ::smoochies:: for you, Maya!