The Tuxedo Club - part 1

Some of our semi-feral inmates can be pretty nervous when there are strangers around.

Hamlet in what used to be Ringo's corner - MW

In regular conditions, the number of weekend visitors increases as the weather improves, and we have to be careful to allow the shyer cats space to get away from unfamiliar faces. The Moore House is closed, and also New Aids - our friendlier FIV cats live in the Val Jones area. We block off several areas for “Cats Only” - the front courtyard section where the ferals hang out, the approach to the office in the Single-Wide, the Newcomers, Pen 8 and Waldi’s Hut,  and the back deck of the Double-Wide.

Hamlet, Bodhi, Luke - LBF

The Double-Wide deck has become the popular gathering spot for the more timid cats in that building, and in particular, for the tuxedos. Grey Bubbles is an honorary tuxie, and there are a few tabbies like Kin and Guthrie who ease in and out of the crowd, but the mattress under the lamp is dominated by black and white fur.

Hamlet at ease - KN

Hamlet arrived in company with Ruff – a pair of ferals who were brought in for their own protection when their territory came under construction. Ruff settled himself in his cage and declined to emerge for almost a year; he’s now become Mr Sociability in the back courtyard. His buddy Hamlet (actually, they weren’t the friendliest of buddies) went in the opposite direction and ended on the deck. For some time he was to be found up on one of the high shelves with Ringo, hiding from human attention; these days he’s more often to be found just inside the door, and ready to accept attention from loving hands.

Bodhi & Luke - LP

Bodhi and Luke arrived about the same time, but from different place; Luke came with Taylor, and once released, the two went in different directions. Black Taylor made for the back courtyard and joined the “who IS that black cat?” crowd. The poor boy has had quite a lot of dental problems, and been in and out of a cage, getting treatment. Luke preferred the comfort of the deck and a more sedentary life-style. He has bonded with Bodhi, who is probably a little older. Bodhi came to us from a hoarding situation and was very wary about contact with humans at first, but the two of them are now ready to approach volunteers, and enjoy some petting.

Luke & Bodhi  - KN

Bodhi, Luke and Hamlet can often be found cuddling together on the big mattress under the heat lamp.  They are sometimes joined by Pancake, though he’s much more social, and prefers to be in the main building, around humans. Sir (who came in as Survivor) will often tuck himself into a nearby basket. Jolene sometimes shares their shelf, but not often the cuddles.  Little Smudge, after quite a lot of medical attention and cage living, had moved himself to the cage-tops in the main-building – warmer than the deck, especially with the big boys hogging the heat.

Pancake, Jolene, Sir  -  MW &BC

When we get our tuxedos together, with their striking markings (especially Bodhi) we think the boys should form a band and call it HISS...  or perhaps PURRRRR

Next week: the Red Light Cats band.... (with thanks to Daphne Jorgenson)

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Lisa Brill-Friesen, Brigid Coult, Lisa Parker, Karen Nicholson, Michele Wright

Sir

There are some cats that you just know are comfortable with themselves and the world around, and there are some for whom it’s a hard place, and worry is in their eyes.

Sir's basket was his 'safe place' at first - KN

Sir came to us a while ago through the good offices of a friend of the Sanctuary. She had heard about this cat whose owner had passed; nobody in the family seemed to want him, and he was left alone in his “home”with someone coming in every few days to throw food at him – and from what we gather, that was exactly the correct phrase.  When it came time for the funeral, the family decided that he should be euthanized and put in the casket with his owner.  Our friend persuaded them to sign him over, and brought him in to us.

First explorations - KN

Initially, his name was “Survivor” (we don’t know what his home name was), and that was about all he was doing. He was very confused by what had happened to him, and obviously overwhelmed by coming in to the Sanctuary.  This is why all our “new” cats have at least a month of cage time; it allows them to settle without having other cats in their faces, and to get used to unfamiliar humans in their lives. The med team and the Kitty Comforters spent time with him, coaxing him to eat, and to re-learn that gentle hands were to be loved and enjoyed.

More comfortable with Sanctuary life - BC

“Survivor” was shortened to “Sir” before long, and he came out of hiding.  He’s a quiet cat, a little reserved, but usually approachable, and he explored his way around the Double-Wide.  He likes to know what’s going on, and can often be found watching while a Kitty Comforter is working with a caged cat.

Watching to see that the KC's are working correctly - KN

He is nominally part of the tuxedo club on the back deck, but he holds himself a little aloof from the others – like an elderly gentleman tut-tutting and saying “these kids nowadays....”  There is often a black-and-white sprawl over the big bed – and there will be Sir looking on from his own little basket. Sanctuary Manager Lisa tells me that Sir would be adoptable to the right home; he needs to be an only cat in a place where he feels a lot of love.

Sir practicing social separation - BC

He reminds me of Larry – another tuxie with a worried face – and I think a lot of our volunteers will make time for Sir to have a cuddle, be reminded that the world is really not as scary as he thinks it is, and that there is a lot of love for him at the Sanctuary.

Doesn't he dress up well? - KN

Word of warning: don't confuse Sir with JJ (for future blog);  Sir is thinner, and has the little white 'tache. JJ is almost identical, though not so thin, and has no 'tache. She will also lash out with very little warning, which Sir will never do....

Blog by Brigid Coult

Photos by Brigid Coult & Karen Nicholson