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Kitty Shock!
Our horrific TX arctic weather has caused increased concern for any pets outdoors. I have an inside kitty who is terrified of both two and four legged critters. She has yet to be seen by the couple who so kindly care for her when I'm away. Smiles
Seeing a plump, well cared for cat sitting in my backyard on the snow and ice, alarmed me but by the time I'd gotten a dish of food and water to the back, the cat had fled. A kitty door was installed in my garage yrs ago and the "door" was lost along the way. I put out more food and water and made a couple of comfy warm nests with newspapers, warm blankets and a heat lamp in the garage. Each morning for days on end, the food was gone and I began to wonder if my "kitty hostel" was hosting more than one lost cat.
Yesterday driving home from an errand 10 miles away and stopped at a light, a kitty came flying over the passenger seat. Don't know which of us was more stunned or frightened! Thank goodness I was stopped at the light because it shook me to the core! I still can't believe the young cat waited until I was almost home to make an appearance!
A neighbor took a photo and posted it on our facebook neighborhood "lost pet" page. I blocked the kitty door and once the car doors were opened, the kitty raced toward it. I added canned food to the dry kibble as a "sign of my good intentions" smiles and will keep the cat in the garage for a few days hoping against hope that it's very worried family will see the post and respond.
My garage is lined with standing shelves and all have gardening and misc'l items on them. If I can get help today to capture the kitty, I can have it checked for a microchip. I've had two kitties in the past go missing and know too well the grief and worry that can cause. Luckily mine returned safely.
This beauty is young with splotches of caramel, white and brown. I guess it decided that the back seat of the car was more comfy than the floor "nests" for an afternoon nap. With the door blocked, the "hostel" has been blocked if more guests come for the next few days. If my skittish baby would accept another into the family, I'd offer this one a new home if there is no response. However, when I finally do reopen the kitty door, this baby may flee never to return.
I just needed to share the experience because I remain very rattled and am appreciating even more today how dangerous that unexpected car experience truly was.
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@fiesty76 Crazy! That had to be an adrenaline rush having a cat fly over the seat like that! Obviously your heart is pretty healthy! LOL. Aw, I hope you can capture the kitty and find its way home. You’re a very sweet and caring person.
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5 ReactionsBetter than the "lost" garter snake that greeted my Mom one afternoon on her way home from work...
Sue
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4 Reactions@fiesty76 how wonderful to be there for the kitties. I thought about all our animals and what they go through. Hope you find the rightful owners or a new home for the kittie. Best wishes. Toni
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5 ReactionsWhat a great story (although frightening), @fiesty76. Thanks for caring for this lost kitty. All of us kitty-lovers are appreciative!
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4 Reactions@fiesty76 It's such a good thing that you were stopped when the kitty made an appearance, that could have caused a serious accident.
I have a friend who was driving in the summer with her windows open. A duck flew into the car! I can only imagine how rattled she must have been.
JK
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4 Reactions@fiesty76 So, how are you and the youngster getting along? Any idea of the owner, yet? We have had a couple of cats sleeping on our outside chairs [both are undercover], but they run off when we go outside. There is a cute young one, but we figure Tessie would not like to have competition in the house here.
Ginger
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4 Reactions@gingerw, Thanks for asking about the little frightened beauty. Unfortunately there hasn't been a single inquiry. I'd been housebound since closing the garage and yesterday needed to leave the house. I knew the minute I opened the garage door the cat would flee in desperation.
Late yesterday, working in the yard, I saw another "new" cat and now wonder if that one had also been sharing the garage shelter. No idea if one or both slept in last night but food was gone and water bowl was depleted so "someone" took advantage of shelter.
Ginger, Thanks for providing comfy spots for your two visitors! So sad that far too many cats and dogs are left to fend for themselves, especially in harsh weather.
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3 Reactions@fiesty76 Most of our property backs up to undeveloped lots of land. We have our share of fox, raccoon, deer, mountain lion wander through. Unfortunately, people have long dropped off unwanted cats in this town. And so many around here don't bekieve in spay and neuter.
Growing up, there were cats who came by, because they knew my mother would always feed them, no matter if they had a family, or not. I think there was a "kitty underground" that let those critters know where the lady-with-the-food lived!
Ginger
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3 Reactions"Excess" cats/dogs seems to be a large problem. Too many people seem to take this way of eliminating their "problem".
We live in an area backing up to the Cibola National Forest.. Plenty of bear, mountain lions and coyotes. For years people dropped off their unwanted furry children to become someone's lunch/dinner.
We did find an older and very sick cat walking around. We tried to find an owner but were unsuccessful. We took her to the Vet who recommended putting her down. Instead we had her bathed and began medical treatment. She lived with us for just over two years. She needed much treatment but it was our pleasure to care for her.
redfawn
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5 Reactions@gingerw, Unfortunately, we also have a large feral cat community and it breaks my heart that some abandon their pets when they move while others don't spay or neuter their pets.
I agree that there is some type of active "kitty underground" that puts out the word about where to find "the lady-with-the-food"! Yesterday there was another New visitor in the backyard but sadly haven't seen the one who took the drive with me since re-opening the garage door. Hope that baby found its proper home!
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5 Reactions