Max

It's been about a year since Max came to the sanctuary... for the second time.

He originally came to RAPS when a woman phoned Carol at the No. 5 Rd. shelter and insisted RAPS take her cat. She was not particularly interested in the fact that the shelter was full to capacity or that there is a fee to surrender an animal. If RAPS wouldn't take him, she threatened, she would have to just let him go somewhere. 

RAPS staff member Ann felt bad for Max and decided to take him home herself temporarily until space could be found for him. And so, after a brief sojurn at Ann's, Max came to live at the sanctuary for the first time.

After being diagnosed with bladder crystals, Max's treatment included many months in a cage with a special diet to help resolve the problem. He became increasingly depressed, and seemed inclined to just let himself waste away. Ann stepped in once again to take him home, this time with the idea that it would be a permanent arrangement.

All was well for 18 months or so between Max and resident household cats Stubbs and Muffin. And then Max started acting aggressive, going after the elderly Stubbs with a Jerry-like abandon. Concerned for Stubbs and worried that Max would start going for the big-talking but ultimately pretty defenseless Muffin, Ann had to face the hard decision and the heartache of bringing Max back to the sanctuary.

Remembering how miserable he'd been the first time, she worried about how he'd fare. True, he was a pretty grumpy boy for a while, but he settled in to the singlewide where Ann asked that he be placed and these days seems to be doing just fine. Phew!!