In a quandary about cat in Shelter

babyhuffman

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Aug 7, 2016
Messages
161
Purraise
62
Location
Michigan
You are definitely a good purrson for any animal to have contact with! [emoji]128570[/emoji]
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #22

artiemom

Artie, my Angel; a part of my heart
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 22, 2014
Messages
11,098
Purraise
22,972
Location
near Boston
I just got a quick update from T... Angel is back to hissing and her eyes are wildly dilated. ***,,, although, there is a lot of commotion outside her cubby... 

I just told T, I do not mind going in and dealing with Angel everyday.. I kind of think she is responding a bit better to me.. perhaps it is just a one person at a time thing with her...

Man, I wish we had an animal behavioralist on this site.. I am just going for broke with Angel.. just off the top of my head....

It is nice to be home, relaxing with my guy though.. I have been ignoring him a bit. I got all my errands done.. I could have gone up there to take care of Angel, but it would have been at the last minute... and who knew that if I committed myself, if I could really do that.. Traffic going up there on the week-days, at this time, is horrendous.. bumper to bumper, almost...

I guess I am feeling guilty ~~~ kind of feeling like I let her down...

Anyway, I accomplished: getting my car back from the auto body shop, turning in rental, got some groceries, and got a couple of sponsors for my church's yearly festival.. so good things were done.. but I feel like I neglected this poor baby.. 

BTW-- the foster is 'lovely'... and so is the home!!! perhaps a match???  let you know when I hear more...

I think I want to tag along with the drop off, to see how it goes...I don't know.. I feel so vested in this outcome.. as if I were fighting for Angel's life.. but we are a completely 'no kill'.... we would just send her to a farm to live out her life.. but I think she has a chance at a fairly normal life....oh well.. just rambling...
 

babyhuffman

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Aug 7, 2016
Messages
161
Purraise
62
Location
Michigan
I think you should go along. She will definitely feel safer with you there, far better than anyone else I can think of. I actually think you should be the only one to do it. That way you can reassure her and yourself about the new home.

I'll be keeping you both in my prayers. P.S. you have no need to feel guilty about today.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #24

artiemom

Artie, my Angel; a part of my heart
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 22, 2014
Messages
11,098
Purraise
22,972
Location
near Boston
I think you should go along. She will definitely feel safer with you there, far better than anyone else I can think of. I actually think you should be the only one to do it. That way you can reassure her and yourself about the new home.

I'll be keeping you both in my prayers. P.S. you have no need to feel guilty about today.
Thanks for your prayers... I am not the one who handles fosters. "T" is a board member who fairly recently started vetting the fosters and potential adopters. She is really the first and only person I have reached out to in the group. I have really been volunteering only since April of this year. I think she will allow me to tag along. 

I do not know if Angel is feeling semi-bonded to me or not. I think it is wishful thinking on my part. I know T is doing a great job in her vetting process. 

I personally feel that Angel needs to be on the medication the end of the week. We can then take her to the Vet for a re-evaluation and possible Vet check-- then we can hopefully, slowly wean her off it the meds. That is as long as she is in a quiet environment. That is when we can try the Feliway and Rescue Remedy...At least that is my opinion....

I know T was thinking about stopping the meds today.. I do not feel that way.. at all.... you have to slowly wean them off of it.. even humans.. it was only a few days, but still, this is not something to be done nilly willy... 

I think I am just too close to it, at this time.. have to take a step back. I am not a board member.. just a volunteer with a big mouth....

venting again.. thanks for listening..
 

babyhuffman

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Aug 7, 2016
Messages
161
Purraise
62
Location
Michigan
You're more than welcome. I'm always willing to lend an ear. Please keep us updated about Angel and how she's doing.
 

handsome kitty

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 10, 2014
Messages
6,193
Purraise
1,062
Location
Newark CA
 
Thanks for your prayers... I am not the one who handles fosters. "T" is a board member who fairly recently started vetting the fosters and potential adopters. She is really the first and only person I have reached out to in the group. I have really been volunteering only since April of this year. I think she will allow me to tag along. 

I do not know if Angel is feeling semi-bonded to me or not. I think it is wishful thinking on my part. I know T is doing a great job in her vetting process. 

I personally feel that Angel needs to be on the medication the end of the week. We can then take her to the Vet for a re-evaluation and possible Vet check-- then we can hopefully, slowly wean her off it the meds. That is as long as she is in a quiet environment. That is when we can try the Feliway and Rescue Remedy...At least that is my opinion....

I know T was thinking about stopping the meds today.. I do not feel that way.. at all.... you have to slowly wean them off of it.. even humans.. it was only a few days, but still, this is not something to be done nilly willy... 

I think I am just too close to it, at this time.. have to take a step back. I am not a board member.. just a volunteer with a big mouth....

venting again.. thanks for listening..
You should speak up. She may not be familiar medication.  You are very insightful and they will recognize it as time goes on, but only if you voice your opinions.

I find it hard to believe they would not want input from the volunteers.  They are the eyes and ears at the pet stores.  They rely on fosters for input to a cat's personality and temperament in the home.   If the situation changes and the cat's behavior changes they want to know.  
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #27

artiemom

Artie, my Angel; a part of my heart
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 22, 2014
Messages
11,098
Purraise
22,972
Location
near Boston
 
You should speak up. She may not be familiar medication.  You are very insightful and they will recognize it as time goes on, but only if you voice your opinions.

I find it hard to believe they would not want input from the volunteers.  They are the eyes and ears at the pet stores.  They rely on fosters for input to a cat's personality and temperament in the home.   If the situation changes and the cat's behavior changes they want to know.  
Oh they do want to hear input from the volunteers; in fact, the president responds to mine, thanking me for the details. She prefers getting up to date insight on the kitties. 

I guess I am just afraid of stepping on toes... I can do that without really trying. 

I think it is a very complicated issue--lots of strong personalities with lots of different opinions...

I do open my mouth when I care about things. Do you remember poor little Sunshine (cat with severe heart disease)? I also noticed what I thought was ringworm on another cat.. I voiced my opinion immediately.. that was taken care of. 

I have also voiced my opinion of some cats having diarrhea.. taken care of

Now I am really involved with Angel.. and the entire board knows it. 

If I interview someone who fills out an application for adoption; my opinion is highly valued. I have been told that. Same thing goes for potential volunteers... so I am having a voice in things.. and it is known that I voice my opinion over things...
 

babyhuffman

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Aug 7, 2016
Messages
161
Purraise
62
Location
Michigan
I'm sure glad to know they value you. How is Angel doing now? Is she in her new foster yet? I hope things go smoothly for her.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #29

artiemom

Artie, my Angel; a part of my heart
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 22, 2014
Messages
11,098
Purraise
22,972
Location
near Boston
@BabyHuffman   Thank you for still being on board with me on this.. I am getting frustrated in many ways...

Angel is still at PetSmart.. It seems that "I" am the one who is medicating her and trying to work with her. 

I went up there last night, and will be going up there every day, to work with her. 

I was really upset last night. I had gotten her out of her cubby, yes-she was growling a bit; but she did not seem vicious to me, for the moment. I played with her and the red laser dot, her attention span is about 5 minutes, then she just stares or starts to wander. She did sniff my hand, without growling or lashing out.. she did sniff the laser toy, and Angel allowed me to do a quick pat on the top of her head!!!!!  I was encouraged!! 

Then all heck broke loose!!! A family, yes family, wanted to come in to see another cat.. A mom and 3 kids. I had to get Angel back to her cubby.. she did not want to go in. I had to resort to using the gloves.. not a happy cat at that point. 

The family stayed in there for 20 minutes!! The mom was constantly trying to calm Angel down! I repeatedly told them not to do that. I took a cat out for them. The poor cat, Sally was even afraid of all the commotion!! She repeatedly came over to me for protection!! I wanted to tell them to leave, but I did not know how far I could go....And they left without taking any of the 6 cats into serious consideration.. they just wanted to 'play' with them!! OMGosh!! and they have a cat of their own to play with!! So mad  
  


Finally they left!! Thank God!! Angel was so hyper and out of it any play therapy.. I had to medicate her, and feed her. 

I was so discombobulated that I gave her the food she hates, chicken with duck. Of course she would not take her meds with it... So I had to waste 1/2 capsule and dump it all. I gave her tuna.. she refused to eat that...She was too hyper...I do not blame her..that family was too much...

I finally mixed the tuna with some Natures Variety Turkey I had for my guy. She gobbled up the combination. I know she will be getting at least some of her meds.. 

I took a few of the cans of tuna, short supply in there, to hold them for her. Only to get her meds in..

No offense, but I am getting tired of going up there to PetSmart, but I know no one else will attempt to do what I am doing.. Why do I feel it is up to me??????  

I spoke with the foster placement person. I think Angel will be going there on Saturday, so only a few (4) more days of this....Hopefully this will happen. I pray...

It seems Angel is reacting better to me than with a lot of other people. I am the only one who works with her.. or am I the fool?????    or is it because she is so pretty, same coloring as all the cats I have had????.. am I delusional in thinking I can help her?? that I am responsible for her?? that I can 'fix' her???   I kind of feel a 'bond' with her.. very strange....   any thoughts anyone.. 

I was found out that I can refuse to have people in there! I can send them away, saying that I am dealing with a cat, or in the process of medicating a cat... and leave it at that!! I will do that from now on....

Because of that family, I stayed there longer and accomplished nothing with Angel.. I felt that if they did not come along, I could have gotten further with her. She allowed me to touch her!! 

When she growled, I just very calmly, said, "NO"....and praised her for doing good...

exhausting.. I always come home, wash my hands, put my clothes in the washing machine and jump in the shower before I even touch my guy.. I feel as if I am ignoring him.... and ignoring my supper because I am at PetSmart during supper time. My days are all mixed up because of this.. I think I will try eating a very early supper today. I have the salad I made for yesterday, still uneaten. I come home too late for supper.. at least for me.. 

thanks again....

I would appreciate any thoughts, or help anyone can provide, or any comments.. 
 

basschick

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Aug 7, 2016
Messages
603
Purraise
487
you're not a fool.  you're a super nice, caring person who doesn't only work with the "easy" cats - you're willing to put real heart into what you're doing.  btw, you may have accomplished more than you know.  angel feels safe with you, and while she didn't calm right down, i'm sure your presence helped her feel better.
 

LotsOfFur

What greater gift than the love of a cat.
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 13, 2015
Messages
1,621
Purraise
634
Location
Texas
You are doing a fantastic job! What you are doing is helping Angel! You are certainly NOT a fool! This part of rescue, getting them adopted, is very hard.

I think you are just where you need to be. You have an affinity for the "hard" cases. You are wonderful at advocating for those that need it the most. Does this make it any less stressful or less frustrating? NO.

I too volunteered for a local Humane Society that had no physical shelter; relied on foster homes and our adoptions were also through PetSmart. My heart always breaks for the caged kitties even though I know they are "rescued" already. It can be very overwhelming and the need is so awesome that you feel like your efforts are futile; but you know deep down they are not!

You are helping in a huge way. You are making sure that Angel's stress is reduced while she is waiting on her foster home. Remember you are one of the "good guys". I wonder what your next "hard case" is going to be? ;)

:hugs: to you and sweet scritches to precious Artie

-Tina
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #32

artiemom

Artie, my Angel; a part of my heart
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 22, 2014
Messages
11,098
Purraise
22,972
Location
near Boston
Thank you all for the good swift kick in the butt, which I really needed to hear.

Angel was in a foul mood last night. There was a lot of commotion in the adoption area. And some fool left a dirty carrier with poop nuggets right in front of her cubby.. I imagine it was from when they dropped off the new cat...but they never bothered to clean it. I think it was one of the 2 guys we have.. they are like that.. leaving things for the 'women' to clean up... 

Venting...  I threw out the dirty towel, threw out the poop nuggets, and left a note for the night people to clean the carrier.. MEN...sorry, guys..

Also the 2 sisters in the big cubby overturned their litter box!! Litter all over the floor..and the floor of the cubby.... I had to sweep that up also.. I could not leave it like that. 

So all in all it took me 20 minutes before I was even able to get to Angel. 

The new cat, Nugget was placed in the cubby immediately above Angel. With all the afternoon commotion and the new cat smell, she was on HIGH Alert!! 

She immediately started hissing and growling at me.. Did not eat any of her food during the day.. just had the dry...

I let her out, she was bad.. did not want to play at all; was mad at the world. 

She also kept going back into her cubby, snarling, growling, trying to attack... 

I tried giving her the meds, the top half of the capsule fell into the soupy food...it started to disintegrate in my hand.. I had to wipe it down to get it back, as a cover for the other half of the capsule..

I needed some love at that point, so I opened the door to Brittany. She gives head butts and is sweet. Even she was a bit feisty.. she would give head butts, then eat a bit of dry food, but she did not want to be petted! She did give me a couple of tiny scratches.

While I was loving Brittany, I forgot that I had Angel's door open.. I did not realize it but, Angel came out. I shifted my weight, onto the right foot, I guess Angel was right there, whether she was about to rub my legs or was just looking there I did not know. I ended up, touching her or giving her a little kick with my foot and she attacked me.. I have 5 scratches on my foot and ankle.. 

I cannot blame her for that.. It was my fault. 

After the episode, she ran right back into her cubby. I shut the door..

Nugget, the new cat, was so scared that he was curled up in his litter box. He did allow me to pet him. As I was doing so, a woman came by. We were talking through the glass wall. I finally went out to chat with her. I forgot that I had Nugget's door open. I also forgot that I had the outside door open a bit....

Well, when we looked at Nugget's litter box, he was not there!! He was not in his cubby.. He was gone!! Oh NO!! an escapee in PetSmart.. that is all I could think about...

Turned out, he somehow jumped out of the top cubby, onto the floor, and hid behind the food bin... Man, was my heart racing.. He is so sweet, not a word from him as I lifted him up and put him back..

Angel was still wild.. She refused her medicine.. she refused her food altogether.. I gave up.. I spray a bit of Feliway onto her bed, and left....

What a bad experience...So the kind words really helped me.. thank you

When I came home, Artie decided to have his second episode of diarrhea in 2 days. He has IBD with constipation---never diarrhea.. not much food last night. (he is a night eater).. 

He had the diarrhea just after I gave him a dose of cisapride... 

He lost half a pound. I have a call into the specialist.. just waiting to hear back..

I have an appointment at 2:30 pm today. I hope I hear back by then.. I called after 11...if I do not hear anything by 1pm, I will call again...
 

belochka

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
Feb 13, 2016
Messages
52
Purraise
10
I've been lurking, following Angel's story, because I really have no words of wisdom to give, but just wanted to say what an angel you are for this little lost furry Angel... You are doing everything that can be done in this situation, and you seem to know intuitively how to connect with her. Really pray and hope everything works out and she can find a home where she can feel secure and at peace...
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #34

artiemom

Artie, my Angel; a part of my heart
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 22, 2014
Messages
11,098
Purraise
22,972
Location
near Boston
I got an update on Angel.

The woman whom I am working with, is trying to get her a foster home. 

She did find a really nice, older couple. Both of them are home. They are not elderly, just older.. The couple fairly recently lost their own cat. They are ready to foster one now. 

The home is very loverly. A nice colonial home which is very clean. They have a separate bedroom, upstairs where she can be isolated, for a while.

They are willing to work with her...

I think the foster will happen on Friday.. fingers crossed..

Also, my friend was able to contact Angel's original foster mom. She was a college age woman who lived in an apartment with roommates. 

She said that Angel was found in a colony of cats. The TNR person felt Angel could be rehabilitated into a domesticated cat. 

The former foster said that Angel was fine with her; even slept with her in bed, but when the roommates and strangers came in, the aggression came out... 

That explains a lot...

Angel is a feral which we are trying to tame!!! and an ALPHA Feral... which is even harder to deal with.. She needs the one on one, quietness...

Hopefully this new foster home works out... if not, then she will live out the rest of her days in a farm type foster environment where she can be an alpha feral, if she so desires....
 
Last edited:

babyhuffman

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Aug 7, 2016
Messages
161
Purraise
62
Location
Michigan
Wow!!! Angel has really lived quite a life poor thing. Its sad to hear what she's going through. You are a wonderful person to take the time with her that you do. You are definitely her guardian angel.
 

gareth

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 19, 2003
Messages
1,516
Purraise
3,858
Location
UK
it seems Angel is reacting better to me than with a lot of other people. I am the only one who works with her.. or am I the fool?????    or is it because she is so pretty, same coloring as all the cats I have had????.. am I delusional in thinking I can help her?? that I am responsible for her?? that I can 'fix' her???   I kind of feel a 'bond' with her.. very strange....   any thoughts anyone.. 
Yeah. I have a thought. You're falling in love with her.

You're going way above and beyond, and she's slowly reacting to you. Inevitably you are going to bond with each other. She's going to learn to trust you, and you are going to feel increasingly responsible for her mental well being. Especially if you are the only one making progress. You're already talking about her like she's your cat and I'd bet damn good money she's not the same when you are not around.

It's fairly obvious she needs to get out of that center, and the sooner the better. She needs quiet, calm, stability, predictability, and trust. Everything else just puts per panic level back up to 10. I think you're going to miss her more than you might think. 

she sounds like exactly the kind of cat I'd adopt if I was anywhere near. I always go for the ones that need the most intensive and long term commitments to turn them around. They always end up being awesome cats and the bond is so strong because you'd been through it together.. One of mine had stickers on the glass cage in the rescue center that said "danger - do not pet" and "most overlooked cat". She had been there two years and was exactly how you describe Angel down to teh fixed and dilated eyes (its just ridiculously high stress, this is a very frightened cat). I was doomed form the moment someone said "you probably don't want this one..."
 
Last edited:

babyhuffman

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Aug 7, 2016
Messages
161
Purraise
62
Location
Michigan
I cannot help but think you already know what you want to do. Angel is now imprinted on your soul. She has clearly chosen you and you have clearly chosen her (subconsciously). It is clear to me that the two of you are forever bonded. If you do not keep her, you will go through the worst period of grief in your life! And, more importantly, so will she.

I believe that God has brought you together. I believe that it is important, for her and yourself, to adopt each other legally as you both have already done so mentally and emotionally. Please, for the sake of you both, take her home!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #38

artiemom

Artie, my Angel; a part of my heart
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 22, 2014
Messages
11,098
Purraise
22,972
Location
near Boston
I cannot help but think you already know what you want to do. Angel is now imprinted on your soul. She has clearly chosen you and you have clearly chosen her (subconsciously). It is clear to me that the two of you are forever bonded. If you do not keep her, you will go through the worst period of grief in your life! And, more importantly, so will she.

I believe that God has brought you together. I believe that it is important, for her and yourself, to adopt each other legally as you both have already done so mentally and emotionally. Please, for the sake of you both, take her home!
 
Yeah. I have a thought. You're falling in love with her.

You're going way above and beyond, and she's slowly reacting to you. Inevitably you are going to bond with each other. She's going to learn to trust you, and you are going to feel increasingly responsible for her mental well being. Especially if you are the only one making progress. You're already talking about her like she's your cat and I'd bet damn good money she's not the same when you are not around.

It's fairly obvious she needs to get out of that center, and the sooner the better. She needs quiet, calm, stability, predictability, and trust. Everything else just puts per panic level back up to 10. I think you're going to miss her more than you might think. 

she sounds like exactly the kind of cat I'd adopt if I was anywhere near. I always go for the ones that need the most intensive and long term commitments to turn them around. They always end up being awesome cats and the bond is so strong because you'd been through it together.. One of mine had stickers on the glass cage in the rescue center that said "danger - do not pet" and "most overlooked cat". She had been there two years and was exactly how you describe Angel down to teh fixed and dilated eyes (its just ridiculously high stress, this is a very frightened cat). I was doomed form the moment someone said "you probably don't want this one..."
Oh, I cannot take her home.. If I did not have my guy, I do not know if I would even try.. She needs a lot of attention and love. 

My guy, Artie is currently in the middle of an IBD flare; and I love him so much. He is my baby. We have both been through so much together. It would not be fair to him to bring Angel into his world. 

My guy is supersensitive and is 12 years old. He gets IBD flares for no apparent reason at all. He had one in July, recovered and is in one now.. It seems stress really bothers him. He reacts to that and to a lot of noise.. He needs quiet also..He is my challenge...and my love...

I know Angel is going to a nice foster home... I know it.. it was not meant to be.

Yes, like you Gareth, I also seem to be attached to the 'problem' cases.. weird.. I guess it is my Caregiver nature..trying to help the hurt ones...

thanks.. I will let you know how it goes with her. I am not planning on seeing her again.. 
 

catmom marcia

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Aug 11, 2016
Messages
181
Purraise
99
Location
Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Oh, boy.  What a challenge this poor baby is.  Angel does indeed sound like a feral cat that was brought inside to try to domesticate.  Feral adults are almost impossible to tame unless they have a very quiet, controlled environment.  This poor girl is overly stressed and frankly will just spend months being overlooked.  What would I do?, I would try to find a proper home for her through the shelter's website, Facebook page or even Craigslist.  I would do a concise, awesome write-up and send form letters to managers at retirement homes and other senior communities for distribution in their newsletters.  Make flyers for their bulletin boards.  Stress that she would be perfect for someone that is willing to take on a challenge, has a quiet adult only home (perhaps a senior).  Also, consider making flyers for the bulletin boards at places that are rural like Tractor Supply or other feed and seed stores.  Maybe a barn is available for a good mouser.  For our hard to adopt cats at my shelter I volunteer at, I run a Craigslist posting for "Barn Buddies".  on Craigslist.  I hope these help.  I have never heard of gabapentin for animal use.  I take it for restless leg syndrome.  Do you think it helped her?  I have a scaredy cat kitten I am trying to socialize now that is not responding to me at all after 2 weeks.
 

babyhuffman

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Aug 7, 2016
Messages
161
Purraise
62
Location
Michigan
Your older guy will be fine. Just bring them together slowly. Keep her on the medication until she adjusts to life with you. It is too late not to take her now. I'm afraid she will no longer adjust to anyone else. They will end up having to put her to sleep. She has already bonded with you. You are the one she trusts. She does not trust anyone else. Please take her home. Keep her separated from your older guy. Give him lots of extra spoiling with love until they reach an understanding. Please do not turn your back on her.
 
Top