So I saw Blindie, the blind feral kitten a couple of weeks ago. Its eyes have closed and fused shut. The situation seems stable. It was trying to hide from me and bonked its head on one of the planters. I could see half of Blindie poking out from behind the planter. It was at that moment that I said sadly to myself, "yes, that's my cat". Thudfactor called Blindie a special-needs cat and Blindie's special alright. Very special.
But Believe it or not, I blinked and in a second, Blindie was invisible. Nowhere to be found. It's a unique animal.
It's lucky that the live trap took so long to get here. It gave Blindie and Monte, my other cat, some time to get to know each other. Monte is cool as long as she gets some kitten chow too from time to time. She likes to watch Blindie eat on the back porch, but just relaxes -- she's not in attack mode or anything. Just chillin'. When I saw that a week ago, it seemed like a good sign.
I scatter dry food across the back yard and up the steps to the mud room so that Blindie knows there's food out there for him/her. It's pretty good about finding it.
The trap finally came, but then I had to think of a strategy to minimize trauma and maximize adjustment to a new lifestyle for all of us. Each night, I've been finding something for Blindie's cage. A comfy old towel to sit on. An old shirt that I've worn so Blindie can get used to my scent. Etc. I also had to figure out how to work the trap. It's actually pretty nifty, how it works. Then I had to think about Vet Now or Vet Later. I've decided, despite the major freak-out Blindie is going to have, on Vet Now. For Monte's, mine and Blindie's safety, we should get B checked out, neutered, shots, cleaned up, all that jazz, before she takes up residence.
Right now, the plan is to set out the trap Fri night and take Blindie to the vet early Sat am. That way, Blindie will spend the least possible amount of time I can manage in the trap. I set the food out at night and B usually eats in the wee hours. I've spoken to a person in my neighborhood who has been trapping and releasing ferals in her alley for neutering. Got some good tips on feral kitten adoption. I'll keep you posted.
Yay! I'm sure B. has found a good home. A very lucky cat indeed, especially since the life expectancy of a feral or outdoor cat is about two years (and an indoor cat is approaching twenty).
Posted by: John | September 08, 2004 at 08:53 PM