2016 rescues

Hobo's Journey

( July 5, 2016)

This dear little boy has shown up and is in desperate need of vet care. ( his feet have open bleeding sores, his ears are frostbit, with open sores, his tail has been broken, he's got one weeping eye, and he seems to be totally deaf). I've been trying to trap him for a week and a half, and although I've been close to getting him, so far no luck. His poor appetite is not making it an easy task. Hoping I can get him soon and praying he'll be negative for disease. Although he's very fearful and mistrustful of people, I feel he may once have been someone's pet that has been abused and dropped off, whereas he does go into our screen tent and sleeps on the chairs.

July 12, 2016 9:30 pm, This boy finally went into the trap. I'll be taking him into the vet clinic, first thing in the morning, but breaks my heart to have to leave him in the trap all night. Can't risk him getting away from me, by transferring him into a crate. (I'd probably never get him to go into it again).

July 13th, Clinic was too busy to do vetting on him today, hopefully tomorrow, but they have him settled into one of their cages. So worried he'll be positive for disease, as he's such a mess, but hoping for the best.

July 14th, This boy tested negative for disease, but was found to be in even worse shape then I had even thought he was in. He has numerous lesions, infected abscesses, and draining wounds. The vet was quite shocked on how he has managed to survive up to now, and even more surprised, that he tested negative, for the shape he is in. Because of his tongue looking like there could be a lesion on it, that may possibly be cancerous, but could also be caused by infection or frostbite, and also seeming to be quite feral, she was questioning if it may be better to euthanize him. (and knowing it could be weeks of recovery). With the rough time he's had, and how hard he's tried to survive, we did decide to go ahead with his vetting, and give him a chance and hope for a positive outcome. His lesions and abscesses, (which were all over his body), were cleaned, 2 long acting antibiotics were given, he was neutered, needled and treated for parasites. ( I am very thankful to have such an amazing, caring veterinarian as well as veterinary clinic). I brought him home and I am keeping him in a crate while he recovers from his wounds.

July 15 th, Although very fearful, he allowed me to put food in his crate, with no hissing, no attempting to bite and no attempting to escape. Fortunately, he ate his breakfast, which was a surprise for all his little body has been through. Unfortunately, he's not used his kitty litter, but has used his blankets instead. Hopefully, tomorrow, he'll get the hang of using a litter box.

November 2016 update: This boy was released after being in captivity for almost 3 weeks. Although he was making progress, he remained very fearful and was very inconsistent with using a litter, which would make it impossible to put him in a home. He is doing amazing living as a neutered and vetted feral cat, being fed twice daily by my parents and having an insulated shelter. He looks wonderful, all injuries healed, and now walks with a little spark to his step. He gets along much better with the rest of the colony, with only the occasional scrap. Hopefully he'll have many more years, remaining healthy and living life on his terms!

Jewelry sales go towards shelters, food and parasite treatments for him and his buddies!

September 2017 update:

This boy is doing amazing. He has gained weight, looks so much healthier a year later and has become best friends with the male cat that he used to constantly fight with. They are now inseparable. Amazing what a difference from these boys being neutered. ( updated photos will soon be added).

October 2019 update: Hobo looks so good and is a very happy boy living as part of the feral colony my parents care for. How bad he looked when he had first shown up, it never occurred to me, he would be doing so well 3 years later. He's a fine example of how well TNR works!