Adopted!

Joseph was fortunate to have had three separate people submit foster applications for him over the last 24 hours! From them, a perfect new home was found to meet his special needs. His new mom is a registered nurse, and understands the importance of keeping an eye on his damaged leg and to watch for "hot spots" that may surface from having constant contact with the ground. He will go to his new home tomorrow.

This blog has been all about Joseph and his adventures in foster care, but his foster mom (me) is grateful he has found a new home.

I'll miss you, Buddy!

Cattery Playmate

Foster mom went to visit Joseph again today for more PT on his leg (he's been moving it a lot lately!) and let him out to visit & play with his cattery-mate, Dizzy. Of course they do the prerequisite "sniff test."

Visitors

Foster mom went by to visit the sweet boy today at the Ohlen Rd. PetSmart. He was sleeping in the litterbox which, fortunately, he hadn't used. She went back behind the habitats to unlock the cage & give him some kitty love, refresh his food/water, and hold him. They did some exercises with his leg, which after awhile, he pulls away from. This is actually good, because the pulling away is using his shoulder muscles which have begun to atrophy some.

Foster mom also opened up the habitat so that he has the entire top row. Another kitty, Dizzy, a beautiful Tuxedo 1 year old boy, has the entire bottom row.

Joseph is still wearing his beautiful collar bow, but didn't particularly care to pay much attention to (or understand?) the glass. Mom was sad to leave him, but he has a much better chance of being seen by a potential adopter there, than he does if he's at her house.

Love you, Buddy!

First Adoption Event

His foster mom created a nice bow for Joseph's collar, even complete with little fishies!


He was, according to foster mom, the most handsome cat at PetSmart. He is extremely relaxed, in what most cats consider to be a very stressful endeavor.

Foster mom decided that if Joseph doesn't get adopted today, he should stay at the PetSmart cattery for awhile so that he has more exposure to potential adopters. She was sad to kiss him goodbye this afternoon, but will be visiting him daily to continue massaging his leg and giving him some good ear scratches. He really loves that!

Primping

Joseph started getting ready for his "big day" at the Ohlen Rd. PetSmart adoption event yesterday with a bath. He does a really good job of grooming himself, which is often not the case with boy cats.




He also got a new safety collar from his foster mom. It's environment-friendly & is bright blue.

He's all ready to go! Let's hope he finds the perfect home today!

When He's Hungry

Foster mom has discovered that when Joseph is hungry, he doesn't like to wait around.

Cat Treats

Cat Food

Umm...Wheat Bread??

Apparently, he doesn't mind a little fiber, either.

They Know Something Is Different

Joseph had a quick bath this morning (not his favorite, but there wasn't any scratching or injury to foster mom). It's tough for a cat to use the bathroom "neatly" when he's passed out from anesthesia. One thing that should lessen over the next few days is the strong odor of his urine, which if you've never been around un-altered adult males can really take you by surprise. Foster mom already notices a difference since the surgery & it will continue to dissipate.

The permanent feline residents know something is up (er...gone).

Sophie getting a good look at Joseph's...um...netherregions

Joseph and foster mom will be out at the adoption event at the Ohlen Rd. PetSmart on Saturday starting at noon. Come out & meet them!

Address: 1628 Ohlen Rd Austin, TX 78758
Phone: 512-835-7221

Post-Op

Joseph's surgery/neuter was successful. He's still a bit groggy and is upstairs asleep under the bed. At first, he thought he could walk around & shake it off, but no-go. He'll be fine in a few hours, and his pain meds are good through tomorrow. He'll be a new man! Altered, but new!

The Med Staff decided to re-chip him, so he's got TWO microchips! Lucky boy will never again be lost for long, as both are registered with the city. His new owner will also want to have his vet scan both of them for the records.

We've decided we're going to try some physical therapy exercises, stretches & range of motion activities for his front paw. It's definitely not something anyone wants to amputate. He often acts as though he really wants to use it, just isn't sure how. He'll love the extra attention & touches that will come with that.

Welcome back, Joseph!

Mystery Solved!

Foster mom had noticed a small hard lump/knot on Joseph's side and decided to have it checked by the APA! Medical Team when he went in for his neuter. Turns out, it's his microchip!

Apparently, it has migrated from between his shoulder blades to about halfway down his right side, about an inch from his spine. As far as they can tell, it's not hurting anything and poses no threat, but most vets and rescue groups would never know to look there. He may have to have another one implanted.

Apparently, The Girls Didn't Like It

Last night, it seems the permanent feline residents didn't like Joseph's tone of voice. They launched an all-out assault on him (and mom) at 2am. Then, just because they didn't think that was enough, did it again at 4am. Poor Joseph. He did nothing to provoke it, and actually his response was what everyone wants in a cat: he did nothing. He had every opportunity to use his strength and clench his jaws on them, or use his claws to give some nice deep scratches, yet he didn't. On the other hand, he could have just as easily used his hind claws to climb up on furniture (or mom) to safety, yet he didn't.

Foster mom was amazed and pleased (but not at all with her own cats).

Not sure why it happened, since everyone has been getting along just fine. Maybe there was a full moon??

Talker

Joseph's/"Buddy's" foster has discovered that he's a real talker! From what she can tell, he basically talks about three things:

1. Where are you?
2. I'm hungry
3. Pet me

Seems perfectly reasonable!

I Found the Toy Stash!

Naptime Cuddle

The Boy Can Move

His leg certainly doesn't keep him from getting around - he was moving fast!

Can We Be Friends?

Joseph's foster mom affectionately refers to him as "Buddy" - he's such a nice cat. He's laid back, and gets along with all the other critters at home. Buddy seems especially interested in the two adult female cats (he's not neutered yet, so that may be why) that live in the foster home. The girls, however, aren't quite sure what to make of him (I suspect they know he's not neutered...). He & Lucy could have been separated at birth...well, not really since she's 7 yrs and he's 2 yrs.

Joseph on left, Lucy on right

He likes to play with the foster's 10-week old kitten, as well. They've had a few good romps - they are both quite playful. And when "Buddy" has had enough of the tireless kitten, he just saunters over & sleeps on the bed.


They also like to eat together.

There is also a 4-week old bottle baby foster kitten at the house, and while she spends most of her time in her warm crate, when she's out to play, "Buddy" wants in on the action! He is quite curious about her and wants to chase! But she's all of one lb. so play isn't really allowed just yet. She looks an awful lot like the cat toys.

Baby Willow

"Buddy" isn't phased by the foster's dog, either. In general, Joseph/Buddy is an all around laid back cat. He tolerates having his eyes wiped, his nails clipped, being brushed, vigorous pets and scratches, cuddling, and will make a great companion animal in his future forever home.

Let Me Introduce...

Joseph. He was rescued in his final hours of life at Town Lake Animal Center (TLAC). He was a found stray with a lame leg, and he was a talker! Unfortunately, he was deemed "unadoptable" due to lack of room, resources, and his leg. Austin Pets Alive!, on the other hand, saw something special. He was named Joseph because it was Christmas Eve, and he needed a miracle.

Every year, TLAC euthanizes approximately 10,000 animals - some sick, some injured, but many who just need that one extra person to lend a hand and a home, share some love, and help recuperate so companion animals can find new homes.

Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) is a 501(c) 3 (nonprofit) organization run almost exclusively by dedicated volunteers. APA! is implementing innovative and progressive programs in Austin after studying the best practices of other cities who are no-kill or are in the process of becoming no-kill.

Mission

To promote and provide the resources, education and programs needed to eliminate the killing of companion animals in Austin.

The top goal for 2010 is to create the Austin Pets Alive! Animal Resource Center. This facility will have five objectives:

1. Use innovative, efficient, life-focused programs to attain No-Kill Success.
2. Relieve some of the burden on the city shelter by deflecting animals from TLAC to APA!
3. Be the first resort rather than the last resort for pet owners in order to proactively affect the pet/pet owner relationships before it is too late.
4. Be a role model for communities that are interested in saving the lives that are traditionally killed.
5. Engage the community. We want to help people help others and themselves with pet problems.

So, now that you know about the rescue organization that saved him, let's meet this wonderful kitty...

Joseph is 2 years old, mostly grey with a white chest & belly. He is currently not neutered, but that will change soon. He was in a temporary foster home for two weeks over the holidays and has just moved to the foster home where he'll stay until he's adopted. As do nearly all cats that spend time at TLAC, he had an upper respiratory infection (URI). The reason so many cats get this is due to the close proximity in which they are kept until decisions are made by the City staff. Many have been out on the streets, lost or abandoned, exposed to the elements and other strange animals. Many may have not been kept up to date on their vaccines. It's tough to determine exactly how long Joseph had been on the streets, but it is clear he was hit by a car. What is also clear: he's a big boy, and he's tough. He is so resilient and happy to be in a warm home.

Xrays have indicated that there are no broken bones, but he has minimal use of the leg. His URI is being treated with eye medication - basically, his eyes just tear a lot. In the last 48 hours there has been marked improvement in his eyes. This is great news! As such, he's been scheduled for his neutering, and the medical team at APA! will also take another look at his leg and make some decisions about the next steps.