AUGH!! Please remove the "cats taken in here" neon

[Traci]

In the interim, put a large cardboard box on it's side, keep the open end where the sun will shine into for most of the day - put a large comfy fleecy blanket in the box (fleece retains the cat's body heat for warmth), so if it gets cool in the camper, at least the slight confinement of the box with the blanket will help keep him warm. Just make sure there are no drafts near the box. When you're inside checking on him, run the portable heater long enough to warm up the area - even if you do this several times a day, again before retiring at night, it might help keep the camper warmer than without using the portable heater at all. Keeping the cold wind, snow, rain etc out is better than nothing at all when you're not there to check it overnight. The purpose of the bed/box facing a sunlit window for the day helps keep him warm during the day too.

Hang in there, Tina, please try not to give up on him, things happen for a reason, someone is out there with this kitty's name written all over them.

I can speak from painful experience that this is the most awful time of year to relinquish a pet to a shelter, even a rescue org who are having just as tough a time adopting as everyone else. Plus, shelters generally do not want to adopt pets as "christmas gifts", therefore the additional number of pets at the shelters. I absolutely understand your situation, I've been inundated with cats this year, vetting, costs, kitty sitting, raising a kitten, trying to find homes etc, and still have a few to get vetted but somehow, I managed (hasn't been easy, but when they come to me, I feel that obligation)

[Tina B and crew]

I have fuzzy blankets and fleecy beds all off the floor for him over there. Not sure I have a place that gets sun where I can fit a box to have the sun shine into it but will see what I can do. I keep him confined to one small section in the back, it does get a good bit of sun through one of the windows for part of the day and then I cover it at night to keep it room well insulated. The other windows face north/northwest so they don't get any sun this time of year and I have them covered all the time.

I just do not want this to turn into a long term "temporary" situation.

[Tina B and crew]

I have decided, though I can hardly afford it, to take him and have him tested for FIV/FeLv and vaccinated at least for rabies. I figure if I have him tested and vaccinated that at least gives me peace of mind AND might make him easier to adopt. I just had someone ask "tested for what" when I had commented that I would have him tested before he was adopted out. Really? (oh, the person who asked has a cat)


Edited to add...another prospect bit the dust.

[Traci]

And this is why I have a lot of cats

[Tambrey]

^^^^ what Traci said!

[Tina B and crew]

You know, I get why some folks have so many animals. I have a friend who has 8 dogs because she finds them or adopts them or whatever brings them to her doorstep. I know people who have numerous cats for the very same reason. Tim and I had decided when we were down to a 2 cat household that 2 was it. In fact, when Frodo died and it was only Willow we were perfectly content to be a 1 cat household. We know our limit. 2 really is it. Doc takes us over the threshold and he is here because he is a special case - I could never abandon him after all he has been through. 3 cats and 3 adults in less than 1000 sq ft is just too much already.

And another prospect officially told me "sorry, can't do it"


And I just discovered a dime sized raw spot on Chunk's neck...

[Traci]

A scratch maybe? K2 gets those occasionally, I think sometimes he scratches pretty hard, the fur disappears and he has a spot there. Just keep an eye on it.

[Tina B and crew]

I think it was where he scratched and got it bleeding. I told the vet about it and she had noticed a few spots where he scratched the fur off and that he seemed itchy so we have put him on a round of prednisone, not just for the itching but because it will help bring his calcium down through diuresis.

[Tina B and crew]

Oh, I'm almost afraid to say it lest I jinx myself...but....someone has contacted me and said they would adopt Mr. Precious if I still had him around after the holidays. She even said if he didn't work out with her cats she'd commit to finding him another home. Let's hope and pray that this follows through!!

[k9Karen]

I hope this one works out Tina!! So sorry the possibly home I found didn't work out.