Can anyone save Harry?

Originally Posted by Draco

That would be really awesome! As far as I know, there's been no interest for Harry

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Sent you a PM sorry for the delay.

The leader told me in email this morning that Harry seriously injured another cat yesterday. I don't know how bad, but it just about made his days numbered.

The leader has a choice now between taking Harry in to her home, but she has 5 cats.. or sending him humanely to the Rainbow Bridge. She will be making the decision in the next day or so

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for your help and suggestions and vibes. it really helped a lot. Thank you so much.

I will keep you guys updated on the leader's decision.

OH NO...... Harry is obviously SO stressed out, the poor guy. What a shame . I am sure he wouldn't act this way under different circumstances. I know of quite a few cats that were so stressed out in the shelter environment that they were quite aggressive to people and other cats. Once in a foster home or in a forever home, the reports were astounding at how the cat calmed down and relaxed. I understand the Leader has a difficult decision now and it is a very, very difficult one at best . At the shelter where I volunteer, we have large cat cages for cats that are not doing well on the floor with the other cats. So sorry and hugs to you for your kindness towards Harry Saying a prayer for Harry

Were you able to contact Best friends? This sounds just like what they specialize in! I know they are far away, but they do set up transports and such. They deal with dogs all the time that have issues like biting - people and other dogs. They are equipped to deal with these behaviors and have trainers on staff plus plenty of space for the animals. Please, please try them before the owner gives up hope!

Originally Posted by BlueRexBear

Were you able to contact Best friends? This sounds just like what they specialize in! I know they are far away, but they do set up transports and such. They deal with dogs all the time that have issues like biting - people and other dogs. They are equipped to deal with these behaviors and have trainers on staff plus plenty of space for the animals. Please, please try them before the owner gives up hope!

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I gave the information you gave me to the leader. it is her decision to call or not.. I am not allowed to call on my own without her permission. I hope she'd call..

OH NO...... Harry is obviously SO stressed out, the poor guy. What a shame . I am sure he wouldn't act this way under different circumstances. I know of quite a few cats that were so stressed out in the shelter environment that they were quite aggressive to people and other cats. Once in a foster home or in a forever home, the reports were astounding at how the cat calmed down and relaxed. I understand the Leader has a difficult decision now and it is a very, very difficult one at best . At the shelter where I volunteer, we have large cat cages for cats that are not doing well on the floor with the other cats. So sorry and hugs to you for your kindness towards Harry Saying a prayer for Harry

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I truly believe that once Harry is out of the shelter environment, placed in a home with one or no pets, he'd be the perfect companion. Someone just needs to provide that for him

the leader now feels that Harry is no longer adoptable.

if I had heard about him before adopting my second cat, I'd take Harry in a flash.

Still no responses about Harry, huh?

I haven't heard anything today

Originally Posted by Ziggy'smom

Poor Harry. I wouldn't use the bite against him. He's in a stressful environment and that can make anyone lash out. My cats that are super sweet when they are at home and are comfortable can turn into total nutcases when they are stressed. If someone is interested in taking him I would play down the bite or not mention it. I know that may sound unethical but it would be a real shame if it would lead to his death when it's not really who he is.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for Harry. New York is a big state. Somewhere someone should be willing to take in a little gray boy that wants to be the one and only. Is the CL ad posted on the NYC CL too?

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I'm sorry. But I have to address this advice. You have obviously never been bitten on the hand by a cat. Cat bites are second only to human bites. I have received two bites on my hands, the first time landed me in the hospital for 6 days and having emergency surgery that almost cost me my hand....I was lucky in that I only lost movement in the finger that was bit. It is in a permanent hook shape. The second bite was the one I posted about above.

The pain from an infected cat bite is nothing short of excruciating. And for a shelter to knowingly adopt out a kitty that has bitten is absolutely negligent. To even suggest something like that is remarkable. Would you say the same thing about a Rottweiler that bit a volunteer, because I can assure you, the cat bites I've had can rival any dog bite.

Again, I do everything I can to help cats in need. However, sometimes you have to consider just what you are doing. Harry is certainly a lovely cat most of the time, but when he snaps, he injures other cats and now people. That is not good.

My heart hurts for poor Harry, I'm sure the unfair hand he got dealt in life has lead to this point for him and that makes me angry and sad at the people that won't spay or neuter. Sadly, there really aren't enough homes for them all.

Draco - it sounds as though you've formed a bond with this guy so I'm sure this has been especially difficult for you. I'm very sorry. My heart is so sad for Harry. When you see him again, scruff him behind the ears for me and let him know that none of this is his fault.

RAFM.. thank you for those words. Harry is such a sweetie, that he does not deserve any of this. He deserves a wonderful home. The leader told me the other day that he's no longer adoptable because of his bites, which does greatly sadden me.

I hope he's still there when I go in on Sunday for my volunteer shift, so I can at least hold him one more time.. whether he goes to the leader's home or to the bridge.

I do hope she will contact Best Friends before giving up hope! They have a new cat facility and really have the room and resources to deal with and re-habilitate, if at all possible, a cat like Harry.

Originally Posted by BlueRexBear

I do hope she will contact Best Friends before giving up hope! They have a new cat facility and really have the room and resources to deal with and re-habilitate, if at all possible, a cat like Harry.

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me too. I gave her the info, it's her decision on whether to call or not.

No decision has been made yet. I hate waiting

It's not easy to get an animal into Best Friends. They take in a lot of unadoptable pets that will take up space for life and getting emails about pets from all over the country there is quite a competition for the spaces they have. According to their website they have very little space for cats that can't live with other cats since most of their cats live in groups.
It doesn't hurt to try though. Some cats do get lucky.

Still sending massive vibes for something, anything to work out to save Harry. I am sure if he got out of the shelter and into a caring home with a routine and lots of love, he would be a very, very nice cat for someone. Such a sad situation and this happens all the time in shelter's with this type of cat, one that is just so stressed to be in that environment. Poor Harry,

Originally Posted by RAFM

I'm sorry. But I have to address this advice. You have obviously never been bitten on the hand by a cat. Cat bites are second only to human bites. I have received two bites on my hands, the first time landed me in the hospital for 6 days and having emergency surgery that almost cost me my hand....I was lucky in that I only lost movement in the finger that was bit. It is in a permanent hook shape. The second bite was the one I posted about above.

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A serious bite can be a problem like that, but there are many reasons a cat might bite that are warning or non-serious. Some cats bite during play--they grab your hand in their mouth, but don't bite down. Some cats will bite if you are trying to hold them down for a medical treatment and they are frightened. Many of those are not bites in which the cat is trying to injure, but simply warnings. Even when he does attempt to injure, a cat which bites once really isn't that much more of a risk than the average cat.

In this case, it seems pretty clear that this is a cat who is afraid, stressed out, and in an extremely bad environment. The reasoning that he is unlikely to bite if adopted out makes a lot of sense to me. In his situation, under his level of stress, any cat would probably bite, or hide away, or stop eating.

Warning potential adopters about his tendency to get stressed out makes a lot of sense; but I do not like the idea that biting once is some sort of a crossing of the kitty Rubicon...

Update:

Harry has been moved from the back storage room and to the front, main part of the shelter. Dividers has been taken out of the cages so he has lots of room, and he's let out when no other cats are out. We're hoping the change of scenery, a more secure location (preventing him from escaping and attacking cats), and a better chance of being seen.

I hope this helps him.

Many prayers that Harry finds a loving forever home!

I'm so glad they haven't given up yet.

Mega this helps lower his stress and helps him find his furever home!

This is great news . I am so happy Harry is getting more chances to find his forever home . I really think this new location will help him feel more secure. Loads of vibes for this to work out for handsome Harry

update on Harry:

The leader brought Harry in to her home. She says he's doing MUCH better out of the shelter, and he's a total snuggle-bug. Harry has met, and has not attacked any of her other cats either

However, she can't keep him. She already has 6 cats (one of them with severe medical issues that requires most of her time) and 2 dogs.

We're happy Harry's out of the shelter environment for the time being.. and we're still looking for a furever home for him