Drazet & Fenrir, ex feral cats

28/12/2024

An interesting article about Japan's cat Island.

Famous for felines that outnumber its humans, Aoshima is also emblematic of a deeper trend afflicting the country’s rural and island communities

22/12/2024

Caesonia the calico cat means business - don't come over here looking for free dinner. 😂

She's a little buddy of Fenrir, and she's went from a bitey little feral cat to really wanting to come inside badly. She's so nice to me, she comes in the garage and I just conversationally say "out" when I have to look up, and out she goes.

25/10/2024

Major victory for a cat's right to not be abused!

In a unanimous decision, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that Ohio's companion animal cruelty law (R.C. 959.131) protects ALL cats and dogs as "companion animals." Alley Cat Allies filed an amicus brief which helped inform the Court’s decision.

17/10/2024

Drazet says happy Feral Cat Day! It's been 11 years since she moved inside, guessing she's about 14? Still very playful, however nowhere near as bitey as she was!

04/03/2024

It has been 9 years since Loki moved inside. Originally she was the only cat ever seen near Drazet, when they were both outside. She never really let me get close to her. Orcat absolutely hated her. When Drazet moved in Loki started hanging out nearby. One day the front door didn't latch, and Drazet came outside and jumped on the porch rail, and started rubbing her snout against me; I picked her up and she rubbed my face. Loki was watching and she scaled an 8ft chain link fence to come over and started rubbing against my ankles.

I put Drazet up and fed Loki, and she bit me really badly, shredded my ankles. I sat down and she jumped in my lap, curled up, and started purring. I tried to pet her but she started loudly growling. Was a bit awkward.

After Orcat died I found out Loki was a she, and had been fixed. It became increasingly difficult to keep her out of the house.

She would get on the (flat) roof where water pooled, lay on her back and wait for birds; she lived in a fenced in area with a bunch of rabbits, and was a bit large. She started meowing on the porch roof, and I tried to get her off if it, she was angry. I held up a milk crate, and she jumped into it for me to place it on the ground. That became a thing when I'd get home.

Brought her inside 9 years ago, but failed to contain her for a good introduction. She started sleeping by my head, and became very aggressive about it, running Drazet off. Over the years Loki's jealousy drove a wedge between them. Now that she's older she doesn't rule other cats much; Fenrir started sleeping by my head often, simply ignoring Loki growling, which kinda set off the end of her rule over the cats. I have always wondered how old she is; I think she's older then the vet guessed.

She's really bitten and clawed a few people over the years, some badly. If I tried to pick her up - she's curled up next to me, purring - I'd get hurt. Strange little cat. I imagine that she was a feral cat that somebody just grabbed, and got fixed, and she wasn't as mellow as they expected and they just kicked her out or whatever. To be clear she followed me around like a dog when she was outside; and now she curls up with me every opportunity she can get and she is very affectionate with me.

25/12/2023

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all! Fenrir didn't want to cooperate much - however Loki says hi! At the last second she looked up at me and withdrew her claw... All were offered some of the game hen. Fenrir wasn't pleased; Drazet begged for more somewhat aggressively. TezCat wouldn't even get up. Loki liked it!

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