It is so sad, I was doing laundry at my apartment's laundry room. I looked out and saw an emaciated cat who looked worse than any I'd ever seen, even worse than Mocha was. I ran to my apartment and brought back a dish of wet food but he was already gone so I put the dish out and left it. Later I left to pick up my kids from school, and he was down in the carport. He apparently is deaf, I called him and clapped my hands with no response. I walked around in front of him and he mewed at me.. I went to pet him and he snuggled up to me.. so I picked him up and carried him back to the food dish. He purred the entire way.. but when I showed him the wet food he would not eat. I am afraid that he may be too far gone.. I can't imagine that he had a full tummy, but I suppose someone else may have fed him today. I have never felt an animal that is so thin, though I didn't think that was possible after Mocha. This poor puddy tat is bunny soft, just like Mocha, sighhhhhh... and I can't get him off my mind.
I had to run to get my kids, and he is nowhere in sight now. I can't stand how these poor animals suffer. Anyway, I needed to vent. Perhaps if I see him again I can get him into rescue, he is incredibly sweet!! I can't risk bringing him into my apt. and exposing Mocha and Bonkers to possible diseases.
Any suggestions??
This makes me so sad.
I'm so sorry - i would also have no idea what to do in this situation. Maybe research a few of the no-kill shelters and next time you see him, put him in a carrier and take him there?
Or if you have any friends that would be interested in rescuing him?
Thanks Meghan, I think that the non-kill shelters may be the best approach. Honestly, I don't have anyone here who would care for him.. Not too many people want to take in a cat in his condition. I even tried to figure out if I could keep him in a large crate on my covered balcony.. but it's just too complicated and too much risk of exposure to my guys. I'd keep him in a heartbeat if I could. I worry that he refused wet food, I've never seen that with any cat.
I'll look up some shelters and rescue groups. I just know that this cat would be a sweet (and eventually) gorgeous fur friend for the right person.. if he is not too sick, sigh..
Awww This is so sad.
Maybe he got out and has gotten lose.
I wonder if he would have an microchip in him.
Hopefully a shelter will check.
You know, he is so darned sweet.. I would not be surprised if he was micro chipped. It's a miracle he is alive, I hope that I can find him again and help him.
Awww the poor darling....I hope the lil' guy is ok. I am not sure what I would do...maybe if I could find him again, I would take him to a vet or shelter...or keep him....I am not sure, unless faced with it myself I guess...Ty KittyGlitter for offering food to the lil' guy and best of luck whichever you decide
The front end of this business is always such a heartbreaker. Do you think he would take some watered down food through a medicine dropper? Maybe some Duck Soup? It could be that his mouth is injured or ulcerated.
If you have a good relationship with your vet, try to talk them into helping you out with strays by checking them out for a lower price than usual pet visits. Some vets here agree to board the animal for a minimal fee. There's a site, I can't remember the name of it. Someone help me out here. It's something like "wish.com", or something. Rescue people here have gone to the site and put their wish for money to care for rescues and actually gotten what they needed. They had money sent to their vet's office and use a name like "Sandy's rescue account." I know you can't shoulder that type of burden alone. Well, unless you're like my husband's boss who just inherited half a million dollars.
Do the best you can to keep your head cool and your heart warm. It's so hard not to dwell and hurt over this.
Thank you for caring.
janilee
Thank you so much Kim and Janilee, I have not seen him since yesterday, was away all day today and then kids had swim lessons so we didn't get home till later. I looked, but no luck.
Janilee that is great advice, I will see what I can find out from my vet. I think all the vets at her office do some volunteer work and they should be plugged into all available avenues of help. I don't think that starvation is an issue with the strays here, as they seem well fleshed out (I see dishes of dry food set out for them). This is the first one I have seen apparently starving, so perhaps he does have some issues with his mouth.
Wow, inherited half a mil? Crazy!
I'll see if I can find the poor puddin head tomorrow, thanks again everyone!
Good luck Kitty!