With Patience and Encouragement, Skittish Feral Cat Becomes 'Source of Love'
Guest Contributor
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"I've caught another cat," announces my friend who sets a live-trap for possums raiding his chook pen.
"Domestic or feral?"
"Looks pretty wild to me."
"Female or male?"
"Male, probably - it's pretty big."
I sigh. "Bring it over, then."
CAT. When they show up, I see a huge, scruffy black-and-white cat crouched against the wire mesh, its green eyes wide with the unfocused terror I'd seen a year before with Phantom, my first feral cat, trapped by the same friend in the same place. After five weeks of hiding in a dark corner of the roomy enclosure I'd built, she'd gradually become a trusting, playful, affectionate companion. But she'd been five-months-old at most. This big tom looked five years, probably more. What were the chances I could earn his trust?
But what choice did I have, except to try? Taking him to the tiny local SPCA was a virtual death sentence. Staffed by volunteers at one cat-lover's home, it had neither space, time, nor resources to tame a wild adult cat unlikely to be adopted.
We put him in "Phantom's Palace." I brought food twice daily, speaking gently to the shadow in the darkest corner, cleaning the litter box, and leaving. After five weeks, he started emerging, inch by inch, to take meat from my hand. Then I tentatively scratched his chin as he ate, eliciting a tiny purr. During five more weeks of incremental progress, he accepted stroking, then holding; then he learned to play and vocalize.
PHOTO: LETHEA ERZWhen he trusted enough to enter a carrier, I had him neutered. The vet discovered he had no teeth, due to FIV! With much care, he became a strong, shiny, robustly healthy cat, occupying my home office with a cat door to his own deck enclosure complete with a tree. He loves to play, "talks" constantly, and basks in affection from me and all who visit.
Now an endless source of love and delight, Photon ("a small particle of fast-moving light") is a constant reminder never to give up on any animal. Love and patience truly can conquer almost anything!
Story submitted by Lethea Erz from Golden Bay, New Zealand.
This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Share your very own rescue story here!
