Abandoned cat

[Ex Animo]

It's cheaper and just as simple. The cat's probably been getting real food for himself; why rescue him if you're going to put him on a diet that will ail his kidneys, rot his teeth and gums, and remove one of the only satisfactions he's likely to get—namely, eating a hearty meal?

It just doesn't make sense to get him addicted to something so bad for him. Put him on real food now and you won't have the hassle of trying to switch him off the addictive junk food later once the toll it takes starts to show (which is usually too late).

[jimipresley]

It's cheaper and just as simple. The cat's probably been getting real food for himself; why rescue him if you're going to put him on a diet that will ail his kidneys, rot his teeth and gums, and remove one of the only satisfactions he's likely to get—namely, eating a hearty meal?

It just doesn't make sense to get him addicted to something so bad for him. Put him on real food now and you won't have the hassle of trying to switch him off the addictive junk food later once the toll it takes starts to show (which is usually too late).

With utmost respect, Sir, that's not the point.

[Ex Animo]

Re. leaving him to enjoy his freedom: while that does sound like an attractive option, in reality it may not be the best; we've seen very clearly how short a stray cat's life is. One CNR project in Bitan saw a group of well-fed, well cared for stray cats decimated in numbers, leaving about a third of the original population still alive after just three years. It's just not a good life out there.

[jimipresley]

Re. leaving him to enjoy his freedom: while that does sound like an attractive option, in reality it may not be the best; we've seen very clearly how short a stray cat's life is. One CNR project in Bitan saw a group of well-fed, well cared for stray cats decimated in numbers, leaving about a third of the original population still alive after just three years. It's just not a good life out there.

Agreed wholeheartedly. It's a domesticated animal. "Freedom" isn't the Great Outdoors Fending For Itself.

[Kea]

Thanks guys for your thoughts and concern.

For Cat, the concrete jungle that is Taipei, or a single apartment, is not anywhere near as nice as the hill. JP, having had cats at our house with plenty of yard/garden in a leafy street in a town of NZ, I'd call that freedom, compared to being confined in a concrete box. I place the concept of freedom above that of happiness. But it's missing the point. He's a domesticated animal, and also he's not getting enough love and attention.

My first priority is to ensure he is fed more, since I was really worried he was losing weight due to an inability to get sufficient regular food-which obviously shows he can't handle himself well enough for the long-term there. Still, there are kind souls who feed the animals there on a semi-regular basis.I'm not far from the wet-market and will begin to request raw meat for the cat. That's a good suggestion, thanks.

If I find someone for him that'd be good. I'm still undecided on the adoption timing for myself. Also a cat-basket is something else I'm considering.

EDIT: As yesterday, I took the cat-box up the hill today, and spent over 30 fruitless mins looking for him. I have decided to bring him down and foster him (if I can find him), and decide on his next home after that. I am leaning towards Cat Village since the cats look reasonably happy there, and the Summer is coming.

EDIT: I went up in the rain today, have gone up every day, to look for Cat. No sign of him, hope he's found a safe and dry hide out for shelter.

[Ex Animo]

Kea, once he's been with you a while, and hopefully vaccinated and neutered, he can come stay at The Sanctuary when you're no longer able to keep him. We only have a few cats, and while they're currently just in a room with lots of hidey holes and shelves and fed very well, the aim would be to get him adopted and would certainly be the better option than the Cat Village, which seems like it will soon be overburdened. Totally up to you though; just giving you another option.

Great that you'll start feeding him raw meaty (and bones)!

[jimipresley]

Excellent work, Kea, mate!

And, as always, a big hand to Taiwan Animals SOS for their unselfish support and generosity.

[Ex Animo]

Ahem . . .

[Kea]

I just wanted to follow up with thanks to Sean and jimi. I went up the hill many times, despite an archilles injury, looking for Cat, but never saw him again. Finally, yesterday an old gent that knows me mentioned he'd seen it in the same place it used to be. However, I didn't see it today-but did feed two other very timid ginger cats.

I surmise that he has a home in a house on the side of the hill, and during the rainy period stayed at home, but now the weather's good he's back patrolling the hill, looking for frogs to play with and ladies to mate with.

At least I hope this is the situation.