To the person who dumped a grey tiger and white male neutered cat at Waterworks Parks on or before July 4, 2011:
He’s doing well, considering. He misses you and his own bed and routine. He spends a lot of time in the garage. It’s where he feels safest, I guess. It was where he stayed that first night with us, a place to let him adjust.
At the time, I thought it would be only a day or two of strangeness for him. I thought you’d contact us as soon as you saw the ads and posters. A well-looked-after cat like him must have people missing him, I thought. A couple people did call, hoping he was their lost cat. But he wasn’t.
He’s been dewormed and vaccinated. He probably already was, but we couldn’t risk it. His vet bill is $191 and he needs booster shots. Thank heavens you had him neutered.
He’s a funny cat, loves to bat cat toys around. Loves catnip. He has no fear of dogs or of people he doesn’t know. He’s very well adjusted, pretty much the perfect cat.
He prefers canned food. When we found him at the park, he happily chowed down the cat kibble we had with us. Then, belly full, he went “mmpff” to kibble and demanded canned food. So that’s what he gets.
The vet thinks he lost a lot of weight fast. His skin is loose, as if it used to cover a larger body. And he’s terrified of the sound of rain. Those things make me think he was wandering on his own for longer than I’d thought.
Our Wally now
His name is Wally now and he answers to it. Maybe you or your kids called him Tigger or Sox for his white feet. He loves to sprawl across laps and hug up close in your arms – but I guess you already know that.
So he’s ours now. Just one request: please don’t replace him with another kitten or puppy until you’re prepared to make a commitment that lasts as long as that animal’s life. I can’t take another of your pets when you don’t want them anymore.
The next one I find will make a quick trip to the vet to be euthanized if I can’t find another home quickly. I won’t take him or her to the pound or shelters. Why? There aren’t enough homes for all the cats and kittens, dogs and puppies dumped and produced by irresponsible people.
Caring for your pet in the pound costs a lot of money. City employees get good wages and benefits to scoop litter boxes and put out kibble. Rescue volunteers do it for free. But how much labour and money are they expected to give to look after pets that people like you can’t be bothered with anymore?
I too do it for free. But I’ve reached my limit so, remember, the next dumped animal I find gets a one-way trip to the vet. It’s a kinder death than the starvation you consigned Wally to.
If you think he is your missing cat, please accept my apologies and contact me!
From my St. Thomas Dog Blog. See Waterworks Cat for his backstory.
August 27, 2021: After 10 years with us, Wally passed away today. His doctor discovered a cancerous tumour. It grew very quickly and nothing could be done. RIP Wally, you will be missed.
