Hi guys, those that know me know I trap and get to clinic to be neutered feral cats. I got a call from a woman who runs a special needs cat rescue here where I live. She had TNR 2 little girls for a elderly woman who lived in a modest trailer in a park. Well the woman went to a rest home and Laura asked me to catch the 2 girls to relocate as no one would feed them out there. So when I went over there was a Tuxedo male hanging with the girls so extremely matted. I MEAN BAD. The mats pulled the fur right out of the skin in some places and he had bald spots. The mats were large and he looked like he had wings behind his front legs as they were flapping in the wind. I determined that he was not feral but had been on his own for along time..and was unsocialized. I tried to get him in a carrier but he was avoiding me. So I trapped him. Got him to the clinic to be neutered. They wormed him, gave him vaccinations, and shaved the mats off. The vet tech said his bum was horrid. They shaved his entire backside, thighs, and legs. Then on his sides and belly. My plan was to move him with his feral girls..but I changed my mind. If I do that then no one will be able to get close enough to comb him and he will be in agony again. So I have him in a large cage in my garage with a comfy bed and litter box. He does growl and hiss at me sometimes..so I am still a little scared of him. But I can pet his head. He holds his head down and looks really mean sometimes..but I think it's just a defense. Years ago I had the furriest persian..his name was Max. He was not good about grooming..it was almost like he figured he was so furry why bother? A few times a year I had him shaved. When I did that Max would disappear into a closet or something and sleep for days..it was as if he felt so good..that finally his body felt comfortable. Yesterday this cat seemed so sleepy..and I am wondering if it is the same..do mats pulling the fur out really hurt? I tried to pet him on his sides and he hissed at me. I have never dealt with a cat that had been so severely matted before. I am sort of at a loss. Do any of you have any experience with this? I guess my goal is going to be to try and get him used to being combed and loved on so I can rehome him. I hope I can find a good person to take him