Drazet & Fenrir, ex feral cats

27/11/2023

Here's the holiday wishlist for the cats still outdoors, as well as the elderly ex-feral ones indoors.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/AH4Q9SHBCEUK?ref_=wl_share

Drazet was a feral cat that could not be TNR'd - returned - due to people shooting at her, abusing her, etc. That was over 10 years ago. Her picture became famous, being used in various places including Wikipedia. She lives inside now.

This past year we were TNR a young black tomcat, Fenrir. Quite wild little guy that lived in the woods by a park. I was unsure if he'd survive the TNR. His health declined. A few months later, he required medical assistance. The Humane Society vet said he was too wild to treat, or surrender.

At that time I was a member of a FB group, "Black Cat Appreciation Group!!!!", and they suggested I fund raise on their page for Fenrir's vet bills. It was quite successful, although it only paid about half his bills - he needed surgery, etc. He couldn't go back outside, too frail.

So I wound up with the wild little guy inside. He's super smart, social, and nice - just wild. After many months - and many injuries to me, he was quite rough, not mean, just rough - he has acclimated to inside. He even won over Drazet!

The outdoor cats on this block live well on a few hundred dollars in donations a year, if we get them. Recently the page we used for donation drives, the "Black Cat Appreciation Group!!!!", banned us with no explanation - right in the middle of the holiday season. They had started to allow a ton of spam, clickbait, etc. I was pointing out a lot of it. I wonder if the admins were making $$$ off the spam posts. Those "nice folks" cut us off from the meager funding.

Calico Cat is Fenrir's buddy, and she's TNRd, however still outside - there's Drazet, Loki, TezCat (all elderly ex ferals), and younger feral Fenrir, all inside now. There are 2 more cats to TNR on the block. The local rescue that TNRd Calico Cat will provide no follow up shots, etc. - there no real mechanism here for that.

So what I've been doing was running an Amazon Wish List. If I don't have to spend cash on food, etc. I can get the shots, shelters, food, etc. for the outdoor cats. And of course the ongoing vet care for Fenrir, Drazet, Loki, and TezCat. Obviously this runs at a loss each year for me. The goal is to limit the deficit.

Fenrir is pictured, before and after - the "before" doesn't do justice to how bad off he was. The original ask for fund I figured was just to help him die, he had blood running out his nose, it was horrible.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/AH4Q9SHBCEUK?ref_=wl_share

31/10/2023

TezCat wasn't very amused - he gets selected for the Halloween picture since he's the most docile. Fenrir seems a bit shocked. Fenrir was selected first, however he reminded me he's still quite feral. Surprised me kinda, he follows commands like a dog - however he wanted no part of being dressed up. TezCat nipped me vigorously and slashed my hand, very unusual for him.

04/10/2023

It's Drazet Day - anniversary of Drazet the feral cat moving in, 2012. Her well known picture was taken in August 2012... guessing she was about 1 then... so she's 12 now? She's till somewhat wild, and loves to snap at my nose. Gave me quite a scare the other day, she had a string in her mouth from the curtain. She's been very active and happy since Fenrir moved in - really surprised me how well they get along. On my desk now, snapping at me typing, wants attention.

18/09/2023

Drazet isn't an outdoor cat anymore; however there are still cats outside that need help nearby, like Fenrir the feral tomcat pictured here. Donating whatever free up money for the vet, TNR, etc.

Here's an Amazon Wish List - feel free to add whatever you feel we could use! https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/dl/invite/9KLjke7?ref_=wl_share

Edit: Fenrir was too sick to stay outside, and now lives inside as a "spicy" kitty after surgeries and meds.

10/09/2023

These guys do great work, having helped a few of the feral cats around Drazet's house. So happy to see they are getting much needed donations!

17/08/2023

Drazet is doing well this Black cat Appreciation Day. After adding Fenrir the feral tomcat she's been very happy, a big surprise. They play a lot. He's feral, but he's very nice, and knows that Drazet is in charge. Hard to believe it's been 11 years since I took this picture.

25/01/2023

Drazet had a lumpectomy and a dental / tooth extracted Monday. Hissing, spitting, and growling is over at least. She isn't eating pate food, however did eat some cat food pouch topper stuff. The pate is I and Love and You brand - I love the dry food they make, amazing quality and amazing price. They offered me 50% off anything so I got some wet food, a lot of the pate runs out of the can... at least I have a use for it now, but she is kinda ignoring it.

I put a camera in the bathroom, can see her in the security feed now. She woke me up today yowling - she never wakes me up normally. TezCat has also been upset (when it's not time to sleep!) she's in there. Despite her age, she's always acted like a kitten and is very active.

20/01/2023

20/12/2022

If anybody needs a cat (Springfield, MO), Fenrir the 2-3 y/o feral cat is available. And yeah, he is feral. He is frail, small, timid, and doesn't do well in the cold. He's very "nice" for a feral cat - hasn't learned to meow yet, so he does swipe at ankles and you'll bleed; he's figuring out this is not desirable.
Very social with other cats. Playful. Smart, learns insanely quickly and seems able to be trained.
He does have a persistent URI, and will need to have this addressed and a FHV test. He has his shots, FIV / FeLV neg, chipped. He needs to have a warm place to sleep, he can't be outdoor only cat. Which is not as easy as it sounds, he stays out in the cold after all the other cats have left for shelter - he does not seem to tolerate cold well.
He did bite the neighbor who tried to pick him up, and he flees if anybody comes within 20 feet of him (neighbor must have cornered him!) - except for me, he'll roll over and he always loves belly rubs, never a bad reaction to it.
He has started using a litter box. Understands "no", his name, and "come".
The neighbor's cat that I feed for her is a large, mean, tomcat that attacked me, slashed my arm - he's really thrashed Fenrir badly, too. Yet when Fenrir saw him slash my arm he started to charge the tomcat! I thought that was cute.

07/12/2022

Fenrir is a feral tomcat, 2-3 y/o, that was critically ill - bloody mucus URI. He watched me feed the TNR'd calico cat, and came over. He's been treated for the URI, full shots and tests, and neutered this past week. He still has congestion issues that need addressing. He's quite wild, however very nice.

I'm also tending to the neighbor's cat, Alex, an unfixed tomcat. She moved and could not find housing in her new town (yet), let alone cat friendly housing, after she took a new job, had to leave him here. He's the meanest cat I've ever met, let alone for a semi housecat, no shelter options for him.

Fenrir has blown thru the year's outdoor cat budget. I am pleased that there's no more mice problems here, thanks to these outdoor cats.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2619DCU7Q6IQF?ref_=wl_share

04/10/2022

It's Drazet Day - anniversary of Drazet the feral cat moving in, 2013. Her Wikipedia picture was taken in August 2012... guessing she was about 1 then... so she's 11 now? Laying on the Qing era sideboard - that was a bit of a surprise this year, finding out the sideboard is older one from China. She still is kinda rough - and will gleefully snap at one's nose for random reasons.

11/06/2022

Been worried about this for a while - a logical progression.

A veterinarian in Thailand likely contracted Covid from an infected pet cat last year, according to a new study. It is the first documented case that's suspected to have gone from cat to human, but experts stress that the risk of it happening remains low. https://nyti.ms/3NHH4mm

17/05/2022

So happy to hear that he's doing well! And off the streets!

Buddy was fighting for his life after two minors let their dogs loose on him in the street.

01/01/2022

Someone paid about 50k to eat at the Captain's Table on the QE2 for Y2K New Year's Eve on a fancy plate. Now Drazet the ex-feral cat enjoys her NYE smorgasbord of Fancy Feast Fish, some chicken, and smoked salmon, on it. 😂😂 Happy New Year's Eve!

19/12/2021

Remembering Orcat, the feral cat that didn't like other cats - until Drazet the feral cat came to the window one day. Orcat passed away this day in 2014. Drazet was quite wild and lived in the nearby woods - later I found out about how she was terrorized by people. Orcat didn't attack the window... and Drazet sat on a table in front of the window outside peacefully. I TNR'd Drazet putting her in the shed to recover, which was good since she got an infection. After finding out one neighbor used her for target practice (glad he was a drunk!), and realizing her personality wasn't suited for outdoors, I decided to try to get her inside, and she's been inside ever since. I credit Orcat with getting Drazet acclimated to being happily inside, since she wasn't only feral she was unsocialized.

13/12/2021

Really nifty, and something anybody can try for less than $30. Drazet gives me a LOT of feedback - hisses & spits when told to "get down" from a shelf, as well as purrs and makes cute noises randomly, and her trademark nose bite - she will be getting one of these soon!

Cats are being taught to communicate using a button-word system. Scientists are listening closely