by Deb T
(Minnesota, USA)
My husband recently saw a cat who was freezing (he kept putting one foot down and then the other back and forth) and he let the cat come in the van and warm up. The cat was really appreciative and very affectionate like he was so grateful somebody would do that for him.
Later, my husband got some cat food and when he fed the cat, the cat ate like he hadn’t eaten in awhile.
THIS was at his friend’s house and he said he would take him in because he seemed like a nice cat, very sweet, purring (tweeting) constantly and doing the figure 8’s rubbing along the legs etc.
Anyway, 2 weeks later, the friend didn’t like changing the litter box so he had to go, and my husband brought him across town to our house to stay in the garage. We have 3 cats, all related and together since birth pretty much (3 generations).
Needless to say, I fell in love with him, we call him Buddy and he is the sweetest nicest cat I have ever met. He acts like he knows just what you are saying and apparently was very well trained. I don’t understand why I haven’t seen an ad for him in the Lost Cats section of our local Craig’s list, animal humane society etc..
I noticed right away that he was matted quite a lot especially around his cheeks or where his ruff would probably start. I realize before this that he was declawed, but then to my horror, I realized that he did not have his back claws either, no wonder he was so matted.
I am so upset, he cannot defend himself and my cat (the leader is Scooter) has been following him outside and then attacking him, twice now. I wasn’t there either time.
I don’t know what to do, the poor cat stays in the garage, tries to keep to himself and yet Scooter has to treat him this way. Now, Buddy has a big scratch by his ear where I’ve removed most of the matt and I just feel so bad.
I hate people declawing their cats. I did it myself when I was young, until I realized what it really was about. But, to have taken this cat’s back claws as well, is to me a death sentence for a homeless cat. How this cat survived as long as he has is beyond me. He is the best cat I’ve ever had the pleasure to know. He is my Buddy and I just want to find him a good home if I can.
Sorry, I’m so long winded.
Deb
I read Deb’s letter. We took in a precious kitty from a caring foster home. He was abused by all the cats and dogs in the place, so his foster mom was happy that he could be in a home alone. We watched him and he was bad about clawing furniture. We have silk upholstery among other easily marred fabrics in our home. He refused to use scratching posts. His back claws have destroyed my leather office chair.
So that we would not have to scold him constantly and make him nervous, we had him declawed. (incidentally by a vet who said she would never have another cat that was NOT declawed.) If we ever have another one, (we’re in our mid sixties,we may not out-live him), I do not think I would declaw again. But with one claw sharpening, the draperies and furniture are in tatters.
Every one of our cats have been rescuees. This one is the best and the smartest. He keeps us laughing,and also “takes care” of us when we are ill. When I had hip surgery, he walked slowly in front of me to guide me. When I had both shoulders replaced, he never demanded that I hold him. It’s been a year and a half. Now he is on my chest, tweeting padding, and purring demanding my attention.
He daily calls for his Papa to pick him up and love him. He is a definite lap cat. He is OCD also. If any of his things are out of place, he pads Papa so that he will fix it. If his sand box needs changing, he goes to the linen closet door where we keep the sand box supplies, and sits with his nose to the door until Papa fixes it. (I can’t lift heavy things yet).
In answer to Deb, our inside kitty never goes outside. He even asks me to take him to the sand box, (tnx to his Foster Mom, he won’t go alone, unless we have company). My daughter says he’s spoiled. Lol We see cats outside in our neighborhood who we know are declawed. I agree, that’s dumb and careless as we have dogs running loose that are cat killers. We had a hole in our fence that our neighbors helped with and before we could afford to get it repaired, he got in twice and killed 5 of our babies and adults.
We also feed and shelter feral cats. Ours are “homeowners”‘ have heated water dishes, homemade shelters and blankets, plenty of food. They are all beautiful and have magnificent fur, thanks to my kind-hearted, precious husband. It is expensive and labor intensive, but he told me one day that he’d thought about them and realized that they can’t help their situation. It’s not their fault that people were not responsible pet owners. Some one has to take care of the ones who were dropped and ousted.
We are fortunate. There are enough Cats besides the ones we have for all our neighbors to feed. Lol. About 8 of us feed water and shelter the ones we know about. We just don’t have the funds to neuter them, yet.
We have asked for help and funding even discounted vet bills as we have plenty of animals that need neutering, but our ” humane ” society and shelters have ignored us. We can get discounted rates but from only that source.They don’t return our calls.most of the time we get an answering machine. if they do, they are snide, assuming, rude and hateful. It’ been years since I called, and will be years more.
But, Deb, we all have inside animals, too, that we love and appreciate. I hope you will screen the home before you give Buddy to a new home. No dogs other cats or untrained abusive kids! People who just give away animals to unscreened homes are irresponsible and uncaring too.
Thank you for allowing me to voice my opinion. If any of you readers win the lottery or have cash lying around, hiding under mattresses, please think about helping others like us to get our well-loved ferals fixed, provide funding for food, outdoor catteries, and watering vessels.
Thanks Deborah for taking the time to share your experiences. Do you have a PayPal account? I am not saying PoC will send money. I am just saying it may happen in the future.
You sound like a very decent person but I wish you had not declawed. For that reason alone I cannot say you are a good cat caretaker. Sorry.