Abandoned cat

[Kea]

On the hill where I hike, a black and white cat has recently turned up-in the last month. He shelters in the small temple/rest area, some people feed him on occasion, and he watches out for dogs. He's affectionate yet wary. I took him some cat food this afternoon and he devoured two tins, meticulously licked his paws, then relaxed purring on my lap. He probably would have followed me down the hill if it wasn't raining. I can't really adopt him since I am coming and going, but I'd love to. He'd make a great family pet. I'm guessing he was, till he was abandoned. He has tried to scratch me previously, but it didn't happen this time. He needs love and patience.

If anyone has advice on what I should do to help the cat, please proffer it. In the meantime, I'll feed him cat food whenever I get the chance. Should I just leave him to enjoy the nature and freedom?

Also, if anyone is interested in the cat-and can provide a long term home for him, then I'd take you to meet him.

Thanks.

[Ex Animo]

Can you foster short-term while we all help find him a home? Sounds like a great cat.

[Kea]

Yes, I could, how long would it take since I may not be in Taiwan in July/August...Also, wondering about initial vet expences?

I might foster from the 17th onwards as will be away 3 days next weekend.

[Kea]

Would appreciate more advice on how to initially care for it, or feedback or interest in taking Cat. It's a nice cat and I'd like to help it.

Another idea is the small covered wet-market nearby has many stray cats, and the shop owners feed them daily since they keep away the mice/rats. At least it's a more social environment there and no dog danger unlike on the hill. I'm contemplating relocating Cat there.

What do you reckon, stray dog? Or others?

[milkalex]

The vets here are very cheap, I guess a treatment against worms and some injections will cost under 2k for a couple treatments. Hope you can find a nice home for the cat soon.. I am just moving this weekend but we may adopt a cat someday as well

[Icon]

mmm, let's see:

-small bag of cat kibble: 200nts
-ceramic dish for food: 25nts
-ceramic dish for water: 25 nts -more if glass
-plastic enclosure for kitty litter: 150nts
-kitty litter- 100 nts a bag
-brush- 75nts

If cat is reasonably clean, I'd go with vaccinations/deworming forst. Some vets will make discounts if you tell them it is a stray and you're giving it a temporary home. Mine does at Xindian Xizhang, kitty corner to KFC. Should be about 1000nts, whole deal. Then you have to wait a bit of time to get him/her desexed. That we can even get for free or cheapie, especially if male. Cat male, not you male!

At the market he might be fed, but the other cats will bully him. Cats are not that social, specially with other kitties they have not grown with. Plus there is risk of fights and serious infections-, disease... Best choice is if cat was dumped, then get him a human home asap. This depends mostly on marketing -beautiful tuxedo cat, unique markings, excelent choice, etc.

[Kea]

Thanks Icon and Milkalex. I'd already been to two animal product shops (bought a swag of cat food) and a vet this morning, I'm contemplating what to do next...

[Kea]

Went up the hill this evening, and couldn't find him. Logicaly, he's probably out hunting, since he's a cat and it's night time. My bad, should have gone in the daytime.

It does make me pause, though. In a lot of ways, it may be better to leave him there for the summer, just enjoy his freedom and maybe meet other cats. I had thought of alternatively taking him to Cat Village, but maybe regularly feeding him and not resettling him would be best. I like animals to have their freedom first of all, and I don't fully like the idea of just catching him, taking his freedom, and neutering him. However, I also don't want to see him lonely and cold.

I still appreciate others sharing their thoughts. Thanks.

Also, I think he's only a year old, not as old as I thought.

[Ex Animo]

Why not skip the processed convenience pellets and put him straight onto healthy real food? I'd go with chicken scraps (with bones) and some fish to start.

For sure we can help out with the times you're away. Be sure to get some good photos and video while he's with you, as that really helps speed up the adoption.

[jimipresley]

Taiwan Animal SOS , you know my utmost support and admiration, but we don't even know the bloke! He could be NOT a cat person who simply has a kind heart. Maybe he doesn't have the time, money, nor inclination to worry about cutting up chicken carcasses. Perchance he wants to do a good deed. His "convenience food" is an admirable and generous donation. His agreeing to foster the wee cat until a home can be found is going beyond the call of duty.

Let's rather not speak about the food the kitty is getting; it's getting fed, and rather well, it seems. Let's concentrate on finding a permanent home, eh?