Daily Kitten Chat Forum » General Chat

1. 

   Well, I have not been online much lately due to work schedules and such... but now I need advise.

   Background: earlier this summer a new feral cat started hanging around my neighborhood. He didn't show up every day, but when he did I would give him some food and he always ate like he was hungry. At first he was very skittish, but after awhile he would let me pet him when he came to eat. Then the past few weeks, he has become very affectionate - purring, wanting to sit in my lap, etc. He also started showing interest in coming inside. I should have been warned.

   Last night when I came home he was curled up sleeping on the chair outside my front door. I said "Hi" and went in to get him some food. What I didn't realize was that he was right behind me - and when I opened the door, he darted around my leg and into the house! I was afraid that he was going to tangle with one of the girls, so without thinking I grabbed him around the middle. Of course this scared him and right away he scratched my hand and went to bite me. I said "No!" and grabbed him by the scruff with my other hand; he let go right away. However, I'm not sure if he broke skin with his teeth or if I was just scratched. None of the wounds were deep, just superficial, but I was bleeding. I cleaned everything out really good and applied peroxide.

   Zorro* is now confined to the "kitty holding room" (aka the spare bedroom). At the very least he needs to be fixed and have his shots. Then I will need to find a home for him. The good news is that other than the one incident he is back to being very affectionate again. He would make a great cat for someone, I think. However, four cats is just too many for me, and besides Gem hates him. He doesn't seem very fond of her either - I have the ripped screens to prove it.

   So for all you cat rescuers out there - what should I have him checked for? Of course the big concern is always rabies but I don't think he can be tested for that. Like I said, none of my wounds are deep punctures.

   Hopefully everything will work out, and then I will need some TDK Power and Good Thoughts to help me find a good home for him. I suspect that he would be a very happy and fun kitty for someone to love, especially after he is fixed.

   *I have been calling him Zorro because he is a tuxie with a black mask and an almost perfect "Z" on his foreleg.

   Posted 2 years ago by NNGM #

2. 

   Hi Joan! "Zorro", what a cute name. He sure sounds like a winner, I hope you can find him a good home. He sounds very personable, he's wormed his way into your heart already. Why are some kitties so darn GOOD at that?

   Posted 2 years ago by Siobhan #

3. 

   Personally, I'd have him checked for FIV and FeLV, worms, fleas, and ear mites. (Figure he'll need to be treated for the 3 latter, plus 5-in-1 vaccination plus rabies vaccination. Plus neutered.)

   He sounds wonderful! I have a soft spot in my heart for tuxies...

   Posted 2 years ago by anncetera2 #

4. 

   Some kitties seem very smart when figuring out that more vocal and affectionate behavior results in more, or more regular feedings. ;-) Kittens do this, too, when they're weaning... and as a result, some softhearted mama kitties let their kittens nurse long beyond the point where any mama's milk is needed.

   (Yes, I saw this happen... Booger nursed until nearly 20 weeks of age, but started eating solid food at 6 weeks. He was a complete and total mama's boy!)

   Posted 2 years ago by anncetera2 #

5. 

   NNGM, I have had two of my orangies do the same thing to me, bumrush me and get into the house.....of course they are total lovers now, with Red being the oldest and Kitty (the whi/org cow kitty) being the official greeter/host of the house. Zorro knows a good thing when he feels it, you are an angel in disguise.

   Posted 2 years ago by AZDEBRA 5/27 & crew #

6. 

   This guy is not a kitten anymore. He doesn't seem to have grown much since he started hanging around so I am assuming he is a young adult male. He certainly isn't feral in the sense that he likes to be touched and petted. This may be a situation like my Jerrie, who showed up with a flea collar (which had become much too tight) and nothing else. The vet figured that Jerrie was a case of owners waiting too long to get him fixed (the urges came and off he went). We tried to find Jerrie's owners but no one ever claimed him. Their loss; Jerrie was one of the best cats ever. Zorro seems too well socialized to have been born feral. (Or maybe he is just very cunning, ha ha)

   Posted 2 years ago by NNGM #

7. 

   Do you have any pictures of Zorro??

   Posted 2 years ago by 2bpurring #

8. 

   No pictures yet, I will have to take some tonight. Other than when he is sleeping, he doesn't like to sit still - this could be a challenge!

   Posted 2 years ago by NNGM #

9. 

   Sounds like another tuxie boy I know!!hahaha Zorro is a great name!!

   Posted 2 years ago by 2bpurring #

10. 

    Great name/personality match!

    Posted 2 years ago by jeankit #

11. 

    Aww, kitties know who is good to go to and how to worm their way into our hearts. I too have a soft spot for tuxxies and God bless you for helping Zorro.

    About two months ago when I was out at my parents, I found that they have a neighbor's cat who comes over to visit them. My step-mom provides only water but she does give it some pettings. When I met the cat, it was overly affectionate and purred up a storm. I think it is neglected since it comes over to my parent's house seeking attention. It is a beautiful torti girl named Lulu. I would adopt her in a second if I found out she was not being taken care of (fed regularly and provided water). In fact these are the same neighbors who volunteered to cat sit a friend's cat who was moving. On the second day it was there, they let it outside and haven't seen it since. Stupid people! I gave my step-mom some instructions on obtaining a trap from the local feral TNR group to hopefully try to catch it. I believe it is a Lynx point siamese kitty. It has been gone over a week now. Think positive it comes back alive.

    Posted 2 years ago by SylMiaFelixMomma #

12. 

    When he goes to the vet, they should check for a chip, too... he might have strayed away from home... To be that accepting of human contact suggests he had it earlier in life. Good luck with the new boy, and finding him a forever home. Perhaps the vet can help, posting a picture in the lobby???

    Posted 2 years ago by nawlins catmom #

13. 

    Maybe this is a tuxie thing because that's how Sam adopted us. He kept hanging around after the Northridge quake in '94 and kibbles in the parking area led to kibbles and water at the front door and then to home invasion and acceptance (after a spa trip). We think he must have run during the quake and coudln't find his way home because he had perfect house manners for 14 years, never jumped on tables, stoves or food prep surfaces and always did his business in the right spot (with one notable exception which was my fault entirely). He's probably still a perfect, conservative presence at the Bridge.

    Posted 2 years ago by GizzysAuntie #

14. 

    He's not a feral if he's that old. I only got that behavior once from a feral kitten that was in my yard at birth. He was so sweet came in the house, but we couldn't take him with us when we moved. My neighbors took over the care of my ferals, but I still miss the little guy. Have him tested for what Ann suggested. I don't think you have to worry about rabies, but keep an eye on him.

    Posted 2 years ago by Sheba's Mom in Raleigh, NC #

15. 

    This is the sort of nightmare post I dread seeing. Y'all just can't go grabbing feral cats and getting bitten. That is a death sentence for them, unless you are willing to take the risk of rabies exposure. Do you understand that you have about 3 days to start anti-rabies shots before they won't do you any good? I don't know if a vet could tell from his demeanor whether he is carrying rabies or not. It sure doesn't sound like it. A vet might be able to tell from his blood whether he has been vaccinated or not. Really, for your own safety, please talk to a vet ASAP.

    Posted 2 years ago by Lily #

16. 

    I've brought in many "forward acting" kitties in my life,they manage to scope me out and escort themselves in to live the good life. I agree that tuxie should be separated until he can be tested and fixed and rehomed.I actually had a tuxie walk up to me outside at a vet's office,she stood up on her hind legs and reached up to me to pick her up. I was like "OMG,not another one." She was a sweet cat.

    Posted 2 years ago by Buttercup #

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