Tommy's Outcome (Feral cat gone MIA now home)

[UrbanCowgirl]

Mom and I was unable to go out and get some animal traps, but that's okay because things turned out well.

While I was showering today, a few minutes ago actually, mom knocked on the door saying she had a "Surprise". Turns out, after almost an hour of talking to him (and a couple weeks of feeding) Tommy FINALLY came to her and allowed her to pick him up and take him inside. I'm so happy he's home.

The bad news is, my step dad might not let us keep him since we have a new cat and plan on moving soon. But after an hour or so of crying and telling him why we should keep him and how much I've missed him, Gary has decided to think on it over night and then have a family discussion tomorrow. Wish me luck. I really need it. Tommy's family.

[Tambrey]

Prayers that he has a change of heart....read through the Feline INtroductions thread in detail, and be ready for a few weeks of getting used to each toher...

be sure to get Tommy to a vet for a checkup to make sure he is well and healthy....

cats always need a feline playmate anyways...

as a plaque that I have says
"Cats are like potato chips...you can't have just one!"

[Traci]

Tell your step-dad that you/the family adopted Tommy for life, as you did with your new kitty. He needs to understand that pets are not disposable and pet ownership means responsibility for the pet for the pet's lifetime. You said Tommy appears very underweight, and he needs veterinary attention right away....cats who disappear and reappear months later often have an underlying health problem that demand veterinary attention promptly so that it is addressed and treated effectively. Tommy could have worms, or could be severely malnourished, etc, don't wait on getting him examined by your vet (like TODAY!).

Is Tommy neutered, and current on his vaccinations? Is your new kitty as well? If not, you need to get them both tested for FELV/FIV and discuss vaccinations with your vet. If Tommy is ill, you need to wait until your vet treats him and he is healthy before vaccinations are given.

Also tell your step-dad that cats fair better when they have one or more companions. When a cat has another feline companion, they tend to be healthier and happier.

Keep your cats Indoors ONLY from now on!!

[UrbanCowgirl]

Thank you.

Yes, Tommy's nuetered. Came that way. But he's not up to date on his vaccines. Jaden is however. She also came vaccinated and fixed. I'll do my best to persuade him, obviously, but I don't know if he'll change his mind.

We adopted Tommy from the Stray Animal Rescue team, so if worst to worst and we have to get rid of Tommy, I plan on contacting his original foster mom and explain our situation. Tommy really liked her before we got him.

Wish me luck.

[Traci]

What is his reasoning here? How can a parent allow you to aquire a kitty, the kitty escapes and eventually comes home yet your step-dad tells you you may not be able to keep him? What's wrong with this man!

Um, what does mom say?

[UrbanCowgirl]

Gary didn't want Tom in the first place. Mom bought me Tommy because Raja was lonely and I missed my Main Coone, Emily, who was stolen.

Gary didn't want Jaden either, but mom got me her because Tom was missing for 3 months and I was lonely. I've always had cats, as did my mom, so we were missing having them around.

My Step dad doesn't want to keep either of the cats since we're due to move soon, says we can't afford them atm since they're paying for my college, and he says the house is dirty, which it's not. He just says it is to make a "point" so mom will see things his way about the cats. However, he won't let us take Jaden back to the humane society because she's a kitten and there are too many kittens at the adoption center.

Hopefully he'll use the same logic with Tommy. Not to mention, Tom's feral and won't trust just anyone, therefore he might not be readopted either.

Mom wants to keep Tom. We tried overuling Gary last night, but he yelled at mom and said it's either him or the cats. Of course, he didn't mean it. He was just mad she brought Tom in the house ... but we'll see.

He didn't say anything to me this afternoon about Tom, so perhaps he'll allow us to keep him. We've had him for almost 3 years.

[slvrwhispr]

Not that it's my life and my opinion means anything, but if any guy ever said that it was him or my cats, I'm choosing the cats...

[UrbanCowgirl]

slvrwhispr: If he seriously meant it, I would too. I <3 my pets. Gary didn't mean it though. He was just mad at the time.

So far things are looking okay. Gary hasn't said anything about Tommy all day, so for now at least he is safe in my basement. I'm currently working on fattening him up. Despite being skinny, he's a lot heavier than what he used to be. I suppose it's from actually having muscle now?

[Cleo]

Mad or not, with an ultimatum like that, I'd tell step-dad to hit the road. Are you going away to college or still living at home? I only ask because I don't want to see Tommy rehomed or "accidentally" let out without you knowing it while you're away at college.

[UrbanCowgirl]

I'm living at home for the moment. It's cheaper, and I use Gary's car since I don't have one of my own yet.

When I do go away to college, however, I plan on renting an apartment or something ... somewhere that I can have pets. I don't want to leave Jaden and Tommy behind. I get lonely at night and during the day x.x