Stevie

Stevie (BC)

For a while in February there was a draped cage in the Connor House with a warning notice that the cat inside was aggressive and reactive. Staff and experienced volunteers have learned to work around cats like this; a warning like that means that newer volunteers can miss the cage if they’re nervous and ask a staff person to do it.

Fur growing back round his injury  (BC)

Stevie had come to us in January. He had been hanging out in a Steveston back yard for some time, and was reported with a tail injury. He was a big unneutered tomcat with a chunky build and chubby cheeks, and on the basis of feral behaviour, he was trapped and scooped up by RAPS rather than the SPCA. We don’t know how he got himself into trouble – whether a bite or something else – but once safely trapped, the hospital took care of both his neuter surgery and the amputation of most of his tail before he came to us.

Slightly wary...  (CM)

Cats are always caged for the first part of their time with us;  it gives them time to recover from any surgery and to get used to the presence of other cats in the vicinity – though via smell and sound, rather than direct contact. The cage is initially draped so that visuals are limited; when the outer drape is removed, the inner drape still gives the caged cat a place to hide. Sometimes ferals will hide for the entire time of their cage-stay, and on release they quickly find another place where they can be out of sight.  Stevie began on the upper shelf, out of reach, but wanting to see what was going on rather than hiding from possible danger. Gradually he began using the main space;  he was actually easy enough to tend since he would retreat to the shelf when someone came to scoop his box and clean his cage. He was wary, but didn’t have the look of a feral cat – more the “I’m not sure I can trust you, but let’s see...” look.

Conversations with Celine   (CM)

He began to allow contact from the Kitty Comforters and we discovered that much of his “aggression” was actually about withdrawal – he liked petting, and the danger point was when the caressing hand was withdrawn – Stevie would lash out to say “How dare you stop!”  Once his cage was opened he remained in place – he could be coaxed into coming down, but was quick to return to his safe space. 

Loves wand-play!  (CM)

He seems to be cat-friendly; Celine regularly shares his cage, and he exchanges nose-bumps with Vesper, who lives on the adjacent shelf and loves everyone. His amputated tail distinguishes him from all the other tabbies – though he particularly reminds me of Spud, who is another large-headed boy with cattitude.

Lap-sitting with Courtney  (BC)

He will allow himself to be scooped up for some lap-time, and is quite relaxed about the whole process; when he’s had enough he calmly gets down, and scrambles back into his cage. He already has a fan-club – Courtney, who does the Connor on Monday evenings, has constituted herself its president, and adores him. He is obviously most comfortable in his own space and has not done more than explore the Connor building a little – I would guess that when he ventures outside he will become very popular, and may well make it onto the Adoptable list.  It’s pretty obvious that this sweet boy must have had a home at some time and was allowed out, unneutered, which increases the chance of a cat becoming a wanderer. Now he has security and people who love him, and just possibly, the potential of a forever home of his own. 

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Brigid Coult & Courtney Milburn