Mid-November, I saw an orange stray near the garage. I started leaving food out, little did I know I would meet w/ this orange guy up close and personal. It was hard to believe he's a stray since he seemed well-fed and super friendly. As it started to get colder, I forced him inside. Because I have cats of my own, I kept orange guy isolated in my office.
I started posting on various FB groups, Nextdoor, and Pawboost to see if anyone is missing this guy. In parallel, I took him to get scanned for a microchip. Over 2 weeks have passed, no one has claimed him, he is not microchipped, and he isn't fixed. The worst part was that he did not seem to want to stay indoors. I couldn't claim that I have adopted him, but to keep him indoors w/o isolating him at night, I took him to the vet for a basic examination and vaccines. I did not want to risk my cats catching something irreversible. I even got a groomer to come to trim his nails and washed him because he had a distinct smell. Little did I know, Tom Cats are known to spray especially since he wasn't fixed.
It was the group I joined on FB that helped make me realize that I need to get him fixed even though he may never be my pet. I need to think about his health and we'll-being.
Bay Area Cats: TNR & Community Cat Resources.
This organization helped w/ the appt at the humane society, lent me a cage/trap, and was very supportive and engaging. Last Monday, 1/9 was the start of the storm that swept the Bay Area yet through the chaotic weather, this organization was the backbone to orange guy's procedure.
The humane society will fix the cat, chip, do a flea treatment, and provide basic vaccinations. It was very stressful for Gavin and I and I cannot imagine how orange guy felt. He definitely gave me the side eye in the car when I picked him up.
I don't know what I would do if it weren't god this organization.
Thank you to Dinah, Vanessa, and Tina!!! I am still a member and am trying to capture 2 other strays that I am feeding so I can help get them fixed as well. read more