Two Timid Tuxies

Motley  (BC)

The Sanctuary has its share of handsome tuxedo cats who have made us their home.  Everyone in the front courtyard knows sweet Vesper who has the attention of not one but two adoring girlfriends.  Luke, on the DoubleWide deck, was feral when he came in, but constant handling in the course of treatment for his diabetes have increased his confidence, and he is a great comfort to his shyer friend Bodhi. Boston, in New Aids, is a cat magnet for his buddies Rocket and Drake.

Winter-coated, mats, dreadlocks and all  (BC)

Motley came to us in the spring of last year. As far as I can find out, he is a local cat; someone reported a pregnant female, our trappers went out, and Motley walked into the trap. I don’t know whether he was the “pregnant female”, but he still had his shaggy winter coat, matted and unkempt, which I guess gave rise to his name, which means “varied in appearance”.

Scared, but also interested  (KN)

He settled himself in the back courtyard, establishing himself as a look-but-don’t-touch boy.  At some stage the name Ivan was suggested and officially changed, but somehow he has remained Motley to most of us – wary and scared, but attracted by treats. We think he’s about three years old, but perhaps it’s his size and shaggy fur that makes him appear older; he’s one of those unfortunate cats whose fur can mat, and that in its turn leads to the necessity of netting and grooming him – which in turn causes a setback in socializing him. On the positive side, his fur means that winter holds no fears for him.

Winter weather means nothing with a fur coat  (KN)

Marty is one of the volunteers who is exercising patience and persistence in attracting Motley; he can be found hiding behind a chair as he offers Churu treats, and Motley will venture closer with the chair-back a perceived barrier that protects cat from human. Chicken is always acceptable, and Motley is starting to take it from Marty’s hand. He is wary around some of the other, pushier, cats; there are several who don’t hesitate to rush in and steal the goodies if Motley is not quick to react.

Recently Motley’s been joined in the back courtyard by another little tuxedo.  Dr Flint also came into our hands last spring, but from SARC, the Surrey Animal Rescue Centre. This is the city shelter, and its animal control; they don’t have the no-kill mandate we hold to, but they do their best to find barn placements for ferals. However, they will pass to us some of the cats that they feel have potential but who need more time. This little boy was about 6 months old, and pretty hissy – in fact, they named him Hiss. When he came to us, that was changed to Flint, and then to Dr Flint.

Dr Flint, curious but wary  (BC)

Convention holds that young kittens can be tamed easily, if you do so before they're 12 weeks or so, so Dr Flint was well past his "best by..." date. He went into fosterage with Kate, who worked really hard to socialize him. However, he remained fearful and wary, and a move to the Adoption Centre was not thought to be possible – so he came directly to the Sanctuary instead. Initially he vanished – mostly into the long grass around the edges of Pen 5. Occasionally we would see a little head pop out of the gate and venture across into Pen 1 – and then dash back. Kate could visit him and occasionally make contact, but all other humans were just too scary.

Observing from a distance  (BC)

With the upheaval caused by DoubleWide renovations, we’re seeing more cats in areas that have been unfamiliar to them. It may be that Dr Flint is following some of those visitors, but he’s been found coming and going from the Newcomers area, much closer to human activity. Obviously it’s warmer and drier there, and though he’s not given up his Pen 5 base, it’s no longer so vital to his comfort.

Chicken was the bribery to get him this far  (BC)

Last week I did a feeding shift, and then sat outside the TeaRoom with my chicken baggie, and the usual hopeful chickaholics. Motley was not venturing too close, and about half of his bits got stolen by Walker and Mandarin. But Dr Flint joined us – initially hiding under the table, and then jumping up onto a chair, where he could monitor the action better. He still didn’t want me to touch him, but that session represented a big advance for him.

Hoping to be bribed   (BC)

So – a call out and a challenge to all our back courtyard volunteers:  two timid tuxedos need our attention and patience. They may never make it to “really tame”, but the more they learn that not only do we mean no harm, but we also come bearing treats, the sooner they will relax and understand that they have truly found Sanctuary with us.

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Brigid Coult & Karen Nicholson

Video by Marty Corey