Hi All!
I have been feeding a stray cat that showed up in our yard about a month ago. Hubby and I started calling it Gizmo (we went for the default sex; when in doubt, it's a boy!
) and in the beginning, we would only see fleeting images of the cat as it scurried from brush to fence to hiding behind cars. I just assumed it was feral, but felt bad for it as it was soooo skinny and just looked like it was in rough shape. After about a week of feeding Giz, I contacted the local vet and borrowed a trap, planning on TNR'ing it. Weeeeellll she (yes, I finally found out it was a "she") proved pretty crafty and didn't take the bait on the trap. She did, however, start coming closer and closer to me and by the end of last week would let me pet her and she would even purr. Sadly, when she got close to me I was able to see just how bad off she was; sores all over her neck, ticks hanging all over her, ears full of mite dust, and a very big belly (pregnant? worms? I don't know). I was absolutely determined to get her now...the poor thing was obviously suffering. She had turned into a very sweet cat...she greeted me every morning for her feeding, and would be waiting for me when I got home. Bean and Poppy would watch her through the windows, trying to figure out who the new guest was.
Anywho...yesterday I finally caught her! The poor thing was terrified!
I told them to "give her the works" - spay, de-worming, treat her ears, get all of the ticks off of her (a round of antibiotics will be needed for sure) as well as to test her for FeLV. Hubby and I have decided that if she is negative for FeLV and AIDS, we will adopt her. I am so worried about her; she is getting treated and tested today, so if you can send some vibes our way that would be great!
I am going to call them in about 4 hours to see what the results were and to see how she is doing. If she is positive (I hate to even think about that, even though it is very likely) we cannot keep her indoors (for Riley and Poppy's sake) but will do what we can whilst she lives outside. (PTS is not an option here in Germany for postive cats, they legally will not put a positive cat down)
I am keeping my fingers crossed and praying the little girl is going to pull through and be ok. Here is a picture of her from a few weeks ago...
I have been feeding a stray cat that showed up in our yard about a month ago. Hubby and I started calling it Gizmo (we went for the default sex; when in doubt, it's a boy!
Anywho...yesterday I finally caught her! The poor thing was terrified!
I am keeping my fingers crossed and praying the little girl is going to pull through and be ok. Here is a picture of her from a few weeks ago...