Chickadee

Visitors to the Sanctuary are regularly greeted at the door of the Single-wide by a furry puddle of cats on top of the drier. They love the attention they always get there – after all, what’s not to like about getting the first chance at treats! – and most of all, they love the warmth and the vibration when the drier is on.

Chickadee, Simone, Bantam, with Jenny (back)

Certain cats can usually be found there.  Simone is always a favourite, and normally she and Bantam, who is probably her sibling, anchor the pile. They’re usually joined by Chrissy or Jenny, and sometimes by Bonnie Boy. But there’s usually another little grey cat in the cuddle-puddle, and she deserves an introduction too.

We think Chickadee came to us from an egg-farm on Blundell – Lisa trapped ten ferals there when the property was sold and slated for demolition. She is similar in appearance to Simone and is sometimes mistaken for her.  She might well come from the same litter as the Simone and Bantam – we don’t always know, when ferals are brought in, what their family relationships may be.

photo by Phaedra

When the dryer gets going, you occasionally find cats totally blissed out on the warmth. Chickadee can be so relaxed that her tongue peeps out.

Chickadee is more wary than the others about joining in the orgy of fussing over visitors; but when she knows you she can be very affectionate. Phaedra, who knows the single-wide cats better than any of us, says “She is nowhere near as approachable as Simone but if you are slow and gentle she can be receptive to pets. The key is slow and gentle though or she will freak out and run away. Not a pick me up and cuddle cat but there is always hope for the future”

She may be wary of humans, but she has lots of feline friends she likes to snuggle with, and who can show her that being handled really isn't so scary. We have a number of cats that have gone from being wary and shy to being shameless in soliciting attention. Let’s hope Chickadee follows Bantam and Simone’s great example!

Blog by Brigid Coult (with help from Phaedra Hardman)

Photos by Michele Wright and Phaedra Hardman