Since this is a time sensitive issue and Blogger hasn't put the previous posts back up, I'm recreating the whole story thus far. (EDIT TO ADD: Blogger seems to have put the entries back up but out of order and I doubt the links to them work any more, so I'm leaving this entry up.)
As you probably know, I've been caring for the feral colony at my apartment complex for about four years now. (All the rest of the blog posts are still here, so if you wish to know more, feel free.) We got the cats Trapped-Neutered-Released, with the permission of the apartment complex because the complex wanted the cats out. I pointed out that Trap&Kill does not work and it costs more, so why not let me TNR? With the wonderful, wonderful support of the readers of this blog we raised the necessary funds. We did not catch all of the cats that first time, and when I wanted to TNR again a while later, I had a harder time getting permission because the complex had changed ownership and management. But I did get permission again, along with permission to feed the cats because that is part of having a managed colony. And all was well, or so I thought, until a few days ago.
I'd come out to my balcony to enjoy one of the few comfortable days that AZ has and spotted a humane trap set out nearby. It was locked to a pipe so that no one could remove it. Horrified, I went to look at it and it was, indeed, set with cat food and ready to spring.
I spoke with the office staff who told me that the cats were being removed to the Humane Society. They did not seem fazed when I pointed out that that meant they were being killed immediately. I went back a bit later to speak with the complex's manager (who was not there when I went the first time) and she told me the same thing-- the cats were being caught and taken to the shelter. She said, "At least they're not being killed," and I (again) pointed out that yes they are. Feral cats are unadoptable*. She shrugged and said she understood that I'm an animal lover with a "big heart" (why did that suddenly sound like an insult?) but that this wasn't her decision but that it came from the owners.
She claimed that at least two residents have moved out because of the cats. I... really? I mean, maybe if you have a phobia or a cat hatred... But to move out? Moving is such a pain. I think this may have been an exaggeration. She cited damage from cats (where? I see damage from children, but not from cats...) and spraying from cats (um... they've been neutered. Yes, some cats can spray after being neutered but it's rare... I will admit that Percy sprayed a lot before he was neutered, but, uh, he's gone to Germany...) And one guy, evidently, moved out because "it was too sad to see the cats out in the heat." What is that I don't even-- Okay, sure. Seeing animals in 110+ F degree heat sucks. Seeing humans in that heat sucks too. In an ideal world all domestic cats would be well-treated, indoors only and enjoying their very own a/c throughout awful summers. But it's not an ideal world and I have a very hard time believing that Mr. It's Too Sad would have preferred to have the cats killed.
The manager assured me that she saw my point, offered me some tissues (I admit I broke into tears when she told me they'd already trapped and killed three cats), gave me the phone number for the corporate offices with the cheery admonition that it wouldn't get me anywhere and sent me on my way.
So here we are, a few days later. I have emailed and called everyone I could think of for some help and got a lot of sympathy, a little advice, but not much in the way of hope. I have had no response from MEB (the leasing management company that runs this complex and many, many other ones through AZ, TX and NJ**, which doesn't surprise me. I found out that MEB in Tuscon agreed with TNR, so I have no idea what's going on here.
Maintenance has moved the trap just slightly. I don't think they've caught anyone in the last two days (unless they have traps that I don't know about). [There is currently a bird trying to steal food from the trap.] They've blocked up the drainage tunnels in which the cats used to reside/move about it. They've thrown away all the food and water dishes we've put out for the cats and swept away the stray kibble they've found.
Because this is an (intentionally) public blog I am not going to list here which cats I've seen lately, how many are around, where/when the cats are fed, etc. If you want to know something specific, you can contact me project.cat.AZ@gmail.com Yeah, I just set that up since I realized I didn't have a good way to contact me for this stuff here on the site. (Sorry those of you have tried to get in touch with me recently.)
All I can do right now is keep trying to get in touch with the management company (MEB) and telling them what I think of their animal tactics. And I ask that you do so, too. You can email them at info@mebmgmt.com or call them at 602-279-5515. (Please note that the number I originally put up, the number I got from the complex manager, was their fax number. Clearly, she was being helpful.)
-----
*Feral cats, with a lot of time and patience, can be tamed (in some cases.) I have met several incredibly friendly formal-ferals who were adults when taken into a home. You would never guess that they were feral for their young lives. On the other hand, I've met some kittens who were just past the age of easy-taming who never became fully domesticated. My point here is that yes, it can happen, and when it does, that's awesome. But it is not a viable option for large-scale rescue ala the Humane Society, and thus it is never what happens when you or someone else takes a feral cat to them.
**Yes, that seems a weird spread to me, too. Here's their website: http://www.mebapts.com/MEB/index.aspx
Friday, May 13, 2011
Perfect timing, Blogger
The posts I wrote about the current cat situation have been removed by Blogger temporarily because they've been having issues.
To sum up-- MEB Management Company has decided that despite the colony of cats being neutered and managed, they are a nuisance, and has begun trapping them to take to the Humane Society where they are being euthanized. Thus far my appeals to logic have fallen on deaf ears.
If you would like to tell MEB Management what you think of their treatment of animals, you can do so by calling them at 602-279-5515. You can also email them at info@mebmgmt.com.
The have a trap set, they have removed all food and water bowls, they have swept away food when it's been put out for the cats on the ground. They're doing their absolute best to remove these cats and have them killed.
To sum up-- MEB Management Company has decided that despite the colony of cats being neutered and managed, they are a nuisance, and has begun trapping them to take to the Humane Society where they are being euthanized. Thus far my appeals to logic have fallen on deaf ears.
If you would like to tell MEB Management what you think of their treatment of animals, you can do so by calling them at 602-279-5515. You can also email them at info@mebmgmt.com.
The have a trap set, they have removed all food and water bowls, they have swept away food when it's been put out for the cats on the ground. They're doing their absolute best to remove these cats and have them killed.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
MEB Management Company Kills Cats
The headline isn't news, of course, if you've read the previous posts. I just want it to be out there. People hide behind terms like "putting to sleep" or concepts like "taking to the Humane Society," and convince themselves that these cats will have a home found for them. Well, no. That's not what happens. Consider the enormous percentage of healthy, friendly, adoptable cats who are euthanized because homes can't be found for them. There is no space at shelters for feral cats who cannot be adopted. So if you, or Villagio's maintenance, or MEB's managers, drop off a feral cat to the Humane Society, you are killing that cat.
I wrote to MEB, as did several people who have commented here and in other places. I have received no response, which is not exactly a surprise, although it is disheartening. (I wonder how many people choose not to live here or to leave not because of the feral cats but because of things like the pants that have been sitting on top of one of the carparks (visible from my stairwell) for the past three years? Accompanied, of course, with two beer bottles and, a recent addition, a glass. Classy! Or the laundry machines that suddenly went up in price, but remained the same in quality and went down in quantity. I'm not saying I'm going to move out because all of the dryers have their lint-traps torn and useless, but it's not exactly enticing me to stay...)
Anyway. I have spent the day thus far sending emails to other organizations in the hopes that someone can give me advice or help, but I'm not hopeful. I've also gone on a walk to do a headcount of the remaining cats. You'll forgive me, I hope, if I don't tell you numbers or names-- I don't wish to make MEB's job any easier since I think it is morally reprehensible. (I have also removed similar information from the previous post.) If you are concerned about a particular cat or just want to know numbers/etc., feel free to contact me through less public channels.
Keep watching this space, though, and keep those emails being sent to MEB Management.
info@mebmgmt.com OR (and I just found this one) leasingcentral@mebmgmt.com
(If I find an email address that seems less slush-pile, I will let you know)
or call 602-279-5515
Let them know what you think of their tactics (which don't work in the long run anyway.)
If I get news that another group can help-- although as I say, I have no idea how-- here may be a necessary fundraiser in the future. We shall see. No need to send donations now, just gather ideas.
And keep these cats in your thoughts.
I wrote to MEB, as did several people who have commented here and in other places. I have received no response, which is not exactly a surprise, although it is disheartening. (I wonder how many people choose not to live here or to leave not because of the feral cats but because of things like the pants that have been sitting on top of one of the carparks (visible from my stairwell) for the past three years? Accompanied, of course, with two beer bottles and, a recent addition, a glass. Classy! Or the laundry machines that suddenly went up in price, but remained the same in quality and went down in quantity. I'm not saying I'm going to move out because all of the dryers have their lint-traps torn and useless, but it's not exactly enticing me to stay...)
Anyway. I have spent the day thus far sending emails to other organizations in the hopes that someone can give me advice or help, but I'm not hopeful. I've also gone on a walk to do a headcount of the remaining cats. You'll forgive me, I hope, if I don't tell you numbers or names-- I don't wish to make MEB's job any easier since I think it is morally reprehensible. (I have also removed similar information from the previous post.) If you are concerned about a particular cat or just want to know numbers/etc., feel free to contact me through less public channels.
Keep watching this space, though, and keep those emails being sent to MEB Management.
info@mebmgmt.com OR (and I just found this one) leasingcentral@mebmgmt.com
(If I find an email address that seems less slush-pile, I will let you know)
or call 602-279-5515
Let them know what you think of their tactics (which don't work in the long run anyway.)
If I get news that another group can help-- although as I say, I have no idea how-- here may be a necessary fundraiser in the future. We shall see. No need to send donations now, just gather ideas.
And keep these cats in your thoughts.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
It's officially Terrible News
Despite my beautifully reasoned logic, despite my tears upon finding out that they've already taken three cats (which ones?? I don't know.) to the humane society, there is no budging.
I have never said where I lived on this blog, what apartment complex is doing this-- which once worked with me so wonderfully to TNR the cats and is now killing them-- but I might as well now.
It's Villagio Apartment Homes and it's run by MEB Corporation-- a company which owns and leases a huge percentage of apartments in this area.
In fact, if you'd like to call MEB and give them a piece of your mind about how they are KILLING cats, it's 602-279-5553. That's no the office of this complex, that's higher up to the corporation that has made the decree. (This is MEB's website.)
You can also write to them in Phoenix:1215 East Missouri Avenue; Phoenix, AZ 85014
Or email them at info@mebmgmt.com
The story from the manager here is that people have still been complaining about the cats and that two residents have moved out, citing the cats as their reason. (It is, evidently, "too sad" to see them outdoors all summer. So apparently KILLING THEM is the answer?!)
What about the people who LIKE to see the cats here (doing no harm, might I point out-- certainly less damage than the children who live here.)? What about the fact that cats keep away the scorpions?
What about the fact that these are living creatures whose plight is made by stupid people?
I seriously don't know what else to do. (I haven't called the corporate office yet because I can't stop crying.)
I don't know which three cats MEB Management and Villagio have already killed.
And I spoke with one of my neighbors who gave me the only good news I've got -- Tig(g)er has a forever home, an indoor forever home.
I walked the property and found only the one trap-- I don't know how many there are. It's (they're?) not set well, but evidently set well enough to catch three so... crap.
My lease is up in August and I have made it clear that I cannot give money to a company that kills these cats, so I guess I'll be looking for a (non-MEB) apartment very, very soon. Sigh. But then, a huge, huge part of why I hadn't moved in the past 5 years was taking care of these cats.
Other than inundating MEB Management with rational, sane requests to stop their plan (because it won't work-- they won't catch them all; because it's inhumane-- feral cats are killed upon being brought to the humane society; because more cats will move in within months of this colony disappearing; because they will no longer have me to TNR the new cats), I ... don't know what to do.
I have never said where I lived on this blog, what apartment complex is doing this-- which once worked with me so wonderfully to TNR the cats and is now killing them-- but I might as well now.
It's Villagio Apartment Homes and it's run by MEB Corporation-- a company which owns and leases a huge percentage of apartments in this area.
In fact, if you'd like to call MEB and give them a piece of your mind about how they are KILLING cats, it's 602-279-5553. That's no the office of this complex, that's higher up to the corporation that has made the decree. (This is MEB's website.)
You can also write to them in Phoenix:1215 East Missouri Avenue; Phoenix, AZ 85014
Or email them at info@mebmgmt.com
The story from the manager here is that people have still been complaining about the cats and that two residents have moved out, citing the cats as their reason. (It is, evidently, "too sad" to see them outdoors all summer. So apparently KILLING THEM is the answer?!)
What about the people who LIKE to see the cats here (doing no harm, might I point out-- certainly less damage than the children who live here.)? What about the fact that cats keep away the scorpions?
What about the fact that these are living creatures whose plight is made by stupid people?
I seriously don't know what else to do. (I haven't called the corporate office yet because I can't stop crying.)
I don't know which three cats MEB Management and Villagio have already killed.
And I spoke with one of my neighbors who gave me the only good news I've got -- Tig(g)er has a forever home, an indoor forever home.
I walked the property and found only the one trap-- I don't know how many there are. It's (they're?) not set well, but evidently set well enough to catch three so... crap.
My lease is up in August and I have made it clear that I cannot give money to a company that kills these cats, so I guess I'll be looking for a (non-MEB) apartment very, very soon. Sigh. But then, a huge, huge part of why I hadn't moved in the past 5 years was taking care of these cats.
Other than inundating MEB Management with rational, sane requests to stop their plan (because it won't work-- they won't catch them all; because it's inhumane-- feral cats are killed upon being brought to the humane society; because more cats will move in within months of this colony disappearing; because they will no longer have me to TNR the new cats), I ... don't know what to do.
(Potential) Project-Cat EMERGENCY
While sitting on my balcony this afternoon to do some work-- enjoying what little of "spring" we get here in the Valley of the Sun-- I discovered a shiny new cat-trap (well, humane trap-- it works for whatever) in place, locked, no less, to a pipe next to the laundry room.
I investigated it, then went to the management office.
Underlings informed me that "maintenance has traps all over the property" and they are trapping the "strays" and taking them to the humane society. I pointed out that that means they're being killed; I was ignored as usual.
I've looked all over the place and haven't found any more traps. And I am about to wash my face (I admit it, I cried. A lot. Frustration, anger, fear.) And I am going back to the office now that a manager should be there-- and in fact a manager I have dealt with before.
All that said, I don't have high hopes for this meeting and I'm downright scared.
Keep your eyes on this spot for more updates.
I investigated it, then went to the management office.
Underlings informed me that "maintenance has traps all over the property" and they are trapping the "strays" and taking them to the humane society. I pointed out that that means they're being killed; I was ignored as usual.
I've looked all over the place and haven't found any more traps. And I am about to wash my face (I admit it, I cried. A lot. Frustration, anger, fear.) And I am going back to the office now that a manager should be there-- and in fact a manager I have dealt with before.
All that said, I don't have high hopes for this meeting and I'm downright scared.
Keep your eyes on this spot for more updates.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Percy Meets His Mama
Friday was a crazy busy day for me and for Percy, too. First thing in the morning, Beatrice's mom picked us up to take me to work and Percy to her house (where he undoubtedly made Beatrice angry by his very presence.) Then she packed him back up, picked me up from work and took us both to the airport.
It took us a while to check in, but it was all straight forward as I'd made reservations before. Then it was time to get through security, which was also straight-forward but not fun. Percy was upset and did not want to come out of his carrier for going through the metal detector. And I discovered that he'd already peed in said carrier, presumably because he was upset/scared. But I kept a hold on him and we got through to our gate.
Both in Phoenix and during our lay over we got a lot of comments because Percy kept up a steady stream of meowing. His carrier, unless you look really closely, looks like an ordinary duffle bag. (The black mesh sides are hard to see, particularly with a black cat inside.) So people would look around, totally confused, upon hearing a cat in the airport. "Is that a cell phone?" they'd ask. "What a weird ringtone." "Is there a cat around here or did I take too many drugs before my flight?" But once I admitted that the noise was from the cat in my bag and explained that he was a foster kitty going to meet his forever mama, everyone was very supportive and pleased and wanted to chat about their cats or about traveling with pets.
When we landed in Charlotte for our layover, I became uncomfortably aware that Percy had pooped in his carrier. I decided that I had to at least try to clean him and the carrier up before the next flight, and so I ducked into a women's room. All the restrooms in Charlotte have attendants, which surprised me, but fortunately the one in the restroom I picked was very friendly and helpful. She even said that last week someone else had a flat-faced cat in the bathroom and was giving it a bath. So I gave Percy a bath, too. He was un-pleased, but since he had poo all over his tail, I felt it was a necessity. His having a harness on made the bathing process possible. I then put him on the floor (while I held on to his leash) so I could clean out his carrier, and he made a new friend of a small toddler who had seen him and started happily calling out, "Cat! Cat!" His mom let him pet Percy until a helpful flight attendant who had seen me bathing Percy told her that he had poop on him (which he no longer did, of course.) The mother was then suitably horrified and scooped up her child to wash his hands. Afterward, the toddler went right back to Percy and then had his hands washed again.
Things cleaned up as best as possible, Percy and I headed for our gate, which was in the back of beyond as we were taking a puddle jumper from Charlotte to a small airport in Virginia. We settled in to wait-- only for me to discover that Percy had pooped again. So to another restroom and another attempt to clean up-- only this restroom was more crowded and I didn't think it was fair to anyone in this space to try and bathe poor Percy again. I did what I could with paper towels and hoped everything would be okay.
Our flight was delayed by a few minutes, meaning we didn't land at our final destination 'til midnight. Percy's mama, although in from Germany, couldn't take him 'til Sunday night, so we went straight to where he and I would be staying for a few nights and I plopped Percy into a bathtub of warm water. The poor dear was miserable for a bit, but I quickly got him clean and then swaddled in a fluffy towel. Once he was dry-ish, we gave him food and he was back to being his usual self. (I, however, still had a bunch of scrubbing to do of his carrier. Ew.)
Anyway, Percy had to stay in bathroom-style isolation for two days because the apartment also held three other cats, but he was fine. Several people, including of course myself, spent time with him and he was his usual helpful self as people showered/brushed their teeth/etc.
Then, yesterday afternoon the Big Moment arrived!! We bundled Percy back up into his carrier, grabbed all his belongings and took him to the hotel where his Mama is staying for a few days before her return to Germany.
Once in the hotel room, Sir Percy popped out of his carrier and made a survey of his new domain. He couldn't really look out the window, but he had an entire human bed to himself, so I think he decided he'd make do. He enjoyed cuddles from everyone, including and especially from his new Mama. I gave him a bit of a brushing (it's his favorite thing ever), and his medicine (his least favorite thing ever) and food (his other favorite thing ever.) He explored everything, from bathroom to desk. I gave him a goodbye hug and then plopped him into his new Mama's arms, and he cuddled there like he'd always belonged. And by the time we left, he was sprawled on a bed, looking for all the world like he'd always been there.
Percy's mama and I talked about his quirks and his health history. I gave her all the necessary customs forms that my vet had filled out. She told me about the many, many cat accessories she'd prepared for him back in Germany-- and he is going to be one very spoiled, loved, happy cat.
He still has adventures to come. On Wednesday they have to drive to DC then take a flight to Amsterdam and then another flight to Germany. I'm sure he won't enjoy any of that, but I'm equally sure that it's brief unpleasantness compared to the happiness of a wonderful forever home.
Some pictures were taken of Percy's meeting his mama and once I get them I'll post a few here. And if I get permission from his mama, I'll also post the super-cute picture of Percy and his mama finally together.
It took us a while to check in, but it was all straight forward as I'd made reservations before. Then it was time to get through security, which was also straight-forward but not fun. Percy was upset and did not want to come out of his carrier for going through the metal detector. And I discovered that he'd already peed in said carrier, presumably because he was upset/scared. But I kept a hold on him and we got through to our gate.
Both in Phoenix and during our lay over we got a lot of comments because Percy kept up a steady stream of meowing. His carrier, unless you look really closely, looks like an ordinary duffle bag. (The black mesh sides are hard to see, particularly with a black cat inside.) So people would look around, totally confused, upon hearing a cat in the airport. "Is that a cell phone?" they'd ask. "What a weird ringtone." "Is there a cat around here or did I take too many drugs before my flight?" But once I admitted that the noise was from the cat in my bag and explained that he was a foster kitty going to meet his forever mama, everyone was very supportive and pleased and wanted to chat about their cats or about traveling with pets.
When we landed in Charlotte for our layover, I became uncomfortably aware that Percy had pooped in his carrier. I decided that I had to at least try to clean him and the carrier up before the next flight, and so I ducked into a women's room. All the restrooms in Charlotte have attendants, which surprised me, but fortunately the one in the restroom I picked was very friendly and helpful. She even said that last week someone else had a flat-faced cat in the bathroom and was giving it a bath. So I gave Percy a bath, too. He was un-pleased, but since he had poo all over his tail, I felt it was a necessity. His having a harness on made the bathing process possible. I then put him on the floor (while I held on to his leash) so I could clean out his carrier, and he made a new friend of a small toddler who had seen him and started happily calling out, "Cat! Cat!" His mom let him pet Percy until a helpful flight attendant who had seen me bathing Percy told her that he had poop on him (which he no longer did, of course.) The mother was then suitably horrified and scooped up her child to wash his hands. Afterward, the toddler went right back to Percy and then had his hands washed again.
Things cleaned up as best as possible, Percy and I headed for our gate, which was in the back of beyond as we were taking a puddle jumper from Charlotte to a small airport in Virginia. We settled in to wait-- only for me to discover that Percy had pooped again. So to another restroom and another attempt to clean up-- only this restroom was more crowded and I didn't think it was fair to anyone in this space to try and bathe poor Percy again. I did what I could with paper towels and hoped everything would be okay.
Our flight was delayed by a few minutes, meaning we didn't land at our final destination 'til midnight. Percy's mama, although in from Germany, couldn't take him 'til Sunday night, so we went straight to where he and I would be staying for a few nights and I plopped Percy into a bathtub of warm water. The poor dear was miserable for a bit, but I quickly got him clean and then swaddled in a fluffy towel. Once he was dry-ish, we gave him food and he was back to being his usual self. (I, however, still had a bunch of scrubbing to do of his carrier. Ew.)
Anyway, Percy had to stay in bathroom-style isolation for two days because the apartment also held three other cats, but he was fine. Several people, including of course myself, spent time with him and he was his usual helpful self as people showered/brushed their teeth/etc.
Then, yesterday afternoon the Big Moment arrived!! We bundled Percy back up into his carrier, grabbed all his belongings and took him to the hotel where his Mama is staying for a few days before her return to Germany.
Once in the hotel room, Sir Percy popped out of his carrier and made a survey of his new domain. He couldn't really look out the window, but he had an entire human bed to himself, so I think he decided he'd make do. He enjoyed cuddles from everyone, including and especially from his new Mama. I gave him a bit of a brushing (it's his favorite thing ever), and his medicine (his least favorite thing ever) and food (his other favorite thing ever.) He explored everything, from bathroom to desk. I gave him a goodbye hug and then plopped him into his new Mama's arms, and he cuddled there like he'd always belonged. And by the time we left, he was sprawled on a bed, looking for all the world like he'd always been there.
Percy's mama and I talked about his quirks and his health history. I gave her all the necessary customs forms that my vet had filled out. She told me about the many, many cat accessories she'd prepared for him back in Germany-- and he is going to be one very spoiled, loved, happy cat.
He still has adventures to come. On Wednesday they have to drive to DC then take a flight to Amsterdam and then another flight to Germany. I'm sure he won't enjoy any of that, but I'm equally sure that it's brief unpleasantness compared to the happiness of a wonderful forever home.
Some pictures were taken of Percy's meeting his mama and once I get them I'll post a few here. And if I get permission from his mama, I'll also post the super-cute picture of Percy and his mama finally together.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Percy's Leeeeeaving on a Jet Plane (picture heavy post)
Yup, things have lined up, it seems, for Sir Percy to get to his forever home on the other side of the Atlantic. His new Mama's visa situation worked out, airfare was purchased, and Sir Percy and I will be meeting her in VA. (I was heading to that side of the country this weekend anyway for a wedding, so now Sir Percy is just coming with me.)Today we'll be visiting the vet to get this Health Certificate (it had to be within 10 days of his traveling abroad, you see, so couldn't be done sooner.) Fingers crossed for a clean bill of health!
I let Sir Percy onto my balcony for fresh air, since I could be sure he wasn't going to take a kamikaze leap off of it (as he was tethered to me.)
Since he behaved so well, I took him downstairs to play in the grass. There he behaved less well (he wanted to be freeeeee) so it was a brief experience.
Thank you very much for all the good thoughts and nice comments you've been sharing. (And no one has pointed out how incredibly bizarre it is that this kitteh is getting a home on a different continent...for which I'm also grateful.) And a huge thank you to recent donor B., who I don't know at all (at least not by real name) and I think is in Australia, who generously chipped into help out Project-Cat. (Project-Cat has truly gone global... My little feral colony is well loved!) I am so grateful to all of you that I cannot adequately express it.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Percy's Busy Week
Lots has been happening to poor widdle Sir Percy. On Monday I dropped him off at the vet so my cats could have a much needed vacation from him, poor dear. While here he go his final set of vaccinations, so that was good. His "camper report card" indicated that he was calm and spent most of his time hanging out on his shelf and watching out the window.
Bu things got more hectic for him after that. I picked him up on Thursday and he spent the night at Beatrice's house, trying (and absolutely failing) to make friends with that feisty feline. Friday morning he was dropped off a the clinic for his much needed neutering. By Friday evening he was recovering a Beatrice's house-- and already acting perfectly normal (for him, at least!) other than walking a bit funny, poor dear. (Beatrice was still mighty angry.) I brought him back here late last night and he's been acting just fine ever since. (My cats? Still mighty angry.)
So all of that is a relief.
What about Germany, you may be asking? And honestly, I'm not sure where things stand there. I'll update as I learn something...
Finally, a huge shout-out thank you to A.. Knowing her, she wouldn't want public thanks (I'm not sure she'd even want thanks...) but she deserves them because she is awesome. Not only has she helped out financially in the past with Project-Cat, but she is also the person I go to for advice in all feline related matters. She, too, has been a rescuer. And she is a rescuer of this particular cat rescuer. :) Her most recent donation is incredibly appreciated.
Bu things got more hectic for him after that. I picked him up on Thursday and he spent the night at Beatrice's house, trying (and absolutely failing) to make friends with that feisty feline. Friday morning he was dropped off a the clinic for his much needed neutering. By Friday evening he was recovering a Beatrice's house-- and already acting perfectly normal (for him, at least!) other than walking a bit funny, poor dear. (Beatrice was still mighty angry.) I brought him back here late last night and he's been acting just fine ever since. (My cats? Still mighty angry.)
So all of that is a relief.
What about Germany, you may be asking? And honestly, I'm not sure where things stand there. I'll update as I learn something...
Finally, a huge shout-out thank you to A.. Knowing her, she wouldn't want public thanks (I'm not sure she'd even want thanks...) but she deserves them because she is awesome. Not only has she helped out financially in the past with Project-Cat, but she is also the person I go to for advice in all feline related matters. She, too, has been a rescuer. And she is a rescuer of this particular cat rescuer. :) Her most recent donation is incredibly appreciated.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Feline Insanity!
Percy is a fairly laid back cat. He seems to like to find a place to sprawl out (he's 10pounds, which isn't all that big, really, but he sprawls well) and just watch the world go by. Sometimes he does like to explore, hopping up on places he really ought not visit, but, well, he's a cat after all.
Despite this happy-go-lucky nature, my cats don't like him. To be fair, they don't like any cat other than each other (and sometimes that's questionable and based on mood). So one is hiding under the bed pretty much constantly and the other is refusing to eat (although she'll still happily take treats, thankyouverymuch, morepleasenow?) Between this and the constant low level of Percy's "Mrow? Mrow? Mrow?" to the other cats and the grooooororrrrrooorrrrrrwwwwwlllll response he gets (punctuated by occasional hisses, of course), I'm also going a bit crazy and would like some sleep, thanks.
So, Percy's going back to the vet for a few days of boarding. This is not entirely a bad thing-- while he's there he'll get his second set of shots and I've also arranged for a fecal test because his elimination has never seemed quite right and he hasn't had one. (He'll be providing them with fresh samples, after all.) I'd put up with the noise and even the hiding cat, but the not-eating cat has me worried, y'know? Percy will have a condo with a window (he likes windows) and it won't be for long, just a break for my cats. If timing works, he'll go for neutering shortly after that, during which he'll recover with Beatrice's mom (who will closer all her windows tightly).
Then, if we're really lucky, he'll be heading to Germany at the end of the month. The end of the month being reeeeally soon, in fact. So, fingers crossed. :)
Sorry no pictures today-- I'm writing this from a coffee shop. And sooper-hyooge thanks to kitty lover (and my personal friend) D. in NYC for the donation I got yesterday towards Percy's care. :D You are the bestest!
Despite this happy-go-lucky nature, my cats don't like him. To be fair, they don't like any cat other than each other (and sometimes that's questionable and based on mood). So one is hiding under the bed pretty much constantly and the other is refusing to eat (although she'll still happily take treats, thankyouverymuch, morepleasenow?) Between this and the constant low level of Percy's "Mrow? Mrow? Mrow?" to the other cats and the grooooororrrrrooorrrrrrwwwwwlllll response he gets (punctuated by occasional hisses, of course), I'm also going a bit crazy and would like some sleep, thanks.
So, Percy's going back to the vet for a few days of boarding. This is not entirely a bad thing-- while he's there he'll get his second set of shots and I've also arranged for a fecal test because his elimination has never seemed quite right and he hasn't had one. (He'll be providing them with fresh samples, after all.) I'd put up with the noise and even the hiding cat, but the not-eating cat has me worried, y'know? Percy will have a condo with a window (he likes windows) and it won't be for long, just a break for my cats. If timing works, he'll go for neutering shortly after that, during which he'll recover with Beatrice's mom (who will closer all her windows tightly).
Then, if we're really lucky, he'll be heading to Germany at the end of the month. The end of the month being reeeeally soon, in fact. So, fingers crossed. :)
Sorry no pictures today-- I'm writing this from a coffee shop. And sooper-hyooge thanks to kitty lover (and my personal friend) D. in NYC for the donation I got yesterday towards Percy's care. :D You are the bestest!
Saturday, April 16, 2011
The cat came back, the very next day...
Well, okay, the title is a lie-- I found Percy a few days after his most recent escape, hanging out by the downstairs foodbowl. I said hi, he said "Meow." I scooped him up and he's back here with me. (Seriously, as soon as I got home from the airport, there he was.) So he's back safe and sound. And in fact, this time around he doesn't seem to have gotten into any fights.
[Sorry-- all the pictures below are from my phone-- it was closer to hand than the camera. You know how cats are; you get up to get the camera and they move from whatever pose you wanted.]
Here's a picture of Percy one week after he was found after his first escape. Kinda gross, but those were all scratches and scabs. There are a lot more that you can't see in the picture. (I was mostly taking it as a reference shot to see if the one below his left eye was getting better-- it has, as you'll see in the next picture. But he was scratched all across his face, had a pretty nasty puncture under his jawline, and two more nasty ones on the top of his head. I think he may have tangled with a dog, perhaps? Something that actually had Percy's head in its mouth? Eek. He also had scratches all along his shoulder blades.]
And here he is today-- you can certainly still see where the scratches are healing and it'll be a while before his fur grows back all the way, but he's getting better. At the tippy top of his head you can see a furrow where there was a scratch (now healed) but the fur is missing. Same thing on the right side of his face-- he's healed up, the scabs are even gone (you can just see new skin) but the fur will take a while.
Poor little beastie. He's still very handsome, I swear-- these pictures don't do him justice!!
And he's getting comfortable-- here's his tummy. :)
Right now he's wandering around meowing fiercely. I have no idea what he wants at the moment...
This week we'll try that whole neutering thing again, and he'll also get his second set of shots. The shipping-him-to-Germany plan is harder than anticipated, but we're working on it.
(Speaking of which, thank you very much to the donor who put a few dollars in the 'jar' to help unite Percy and his momma. Yay!)
[Sorry-- all the pictures below are from my phone-- it was closer to hand than the camera. You know how cats are; you get up to get the camera and they move from whatever pose you wanted.]
Here's a picture of Percy one week after he was found after his first escape. Kinda gross, but those were all scratches and scabs. There are a lot more that you can't see in the picture. (I was mostly taking it as a reference shot to see if the one below his left eye was getting better-- it has, as you'll see in the next picture. But he was scratched all across his face, had a pretty nasty puncture under his jawline, and two more nasty ones on the top of his head. I think he may have tangled with a dog, perhaps? Something that actually had Percy's head in its mouth? Eek. He also had scratches all along his shoulder blades.]
And here he is today-- you can certainly still see where the scratches are healing and it'll be a while before his fur grows back all the way, but he's getting better. At the tippy top of his head you can see a furrow where there was a scratch (now healed) but the fur is missing. Same thing on the right side of his face-- he's healed up, the scabs are even gone (you can just see new skin) but the fur will take a while.
Poor little beastie. He's still very handsome, I swear-- these pictures don't do him justice!!
And he's getting comfortable-- here's his tummy. :)
Right now he's wandering around meowing fiercely. I have no idea what he wants at the moment...
(Speaking of which, thank you very much to the donor who put a few dollars in the 'jar' to help unite Percy and his momma. Yay!)
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