Victor - A Rare Path

I have always heard that a Tom (unneutered male cat) living the life of a stray can be dangerous to a litter of kittens.  I even read once that a straying Tom will seek out male kittens and kill them.  I don’t actually know if any of that is true.  What I do know is true in some cases with stray Toms is that they will fight each other.  Unneutered male cats will fight with each other over food, territory, and unspayed females. 

I only just blogged about Victor last Thursday.  At that time, he had only been here a couple of weeks.  I had him neutered almost immediately after taking him in so that he could go to the cathouse.  I started him in a cage (in the cathouse) so that he and the inhabitants could get used to each other before he roamed freely amongst the current gang.  He hated that cage.  He cried and cried and cried.  I have heard dogs become hoarse from barking.  But Victor is the first experience I’ve had with a cat crying enough to become hoarse.  When I was in the cathouse working, I would let Victor out to see how he interacted.  There was never a problem.  I did not ever hear him hiss.  He did not  show signs of aggression.  After only a couple of days, I decided that Victor couldn’t stay in that cage any longer.  Besides, it didn’t seem to be necessary. 

After Victor had been living at large in the cathouse for a couple of days, I started noticing something when I was there working.  The cats all made a detour around him as they went about their activities.  Time and again, I would watch as Victor strolled through and cats quickly changed course to avoid him. Odd, I thought.  Surely this had to do with him being new.  I watched a couple of times as Maverick or Shiloh would encounter the nonchalant Victor and immediately crouch down.  Still not even a sign of aggression from Victor.

Then early last week, I was in one room of the cathouse and I heard what sounded like a chase.  I quickly peeked into the other room and saw that Victor had chased Shiloh up onto a cat tree.  Shiloh is already a timid little guy.  I went to give him comfort but he shot away from me.  Victor looked innocent like nothing had happened.  On Thursday, I was in the cathouse again when I noticed that Hershey Bear and Maverick were out on the kitty deck and didn’t come in to greet me.  I called to them through the kitty door, but neither one came in.  The next day, I was cleaning in the cathouse and Victor wouldn’t let Hershey Bear come IN - he was keeping Hershey out on the kitty deck.  Well, it’s way too cold for that.

I put Victor in the cage, and FINALLY coaxed Hershey back inside.  I cleaned and interacted with the kitties.  Everyone seemed OK, but the three boys - Maverick, Hershey, and Shiloh were VERY skiddish.  This wasn't normal, and I started thinking that Victor must be intimidating them.  I let him out of the cage, and I settled down on the couch to observe.  Victor scurried out of the cage and then just sauntered through.  He sat for a while in the middle of the floor and gave himself a bath.  Nothing seemed amiss.  I would have to be diligent.  It was too strange that the three young boys seemed so jittery.  I would start paying close attention each day as I went about the cleaning routine.

Then, as I was leaving, I heard a terrible commotion in the room I’d just left.  I practically tore an arm off getting back through the doorway.  Victor had Shiloh pinned to the floor and Shiloh was screaming.  As I was rushing at them, I was stomping my feet and yelling No! at Victor.  He did not let up.  I slid to my knees and was almost on top of them when Victor released Shiloh and Shiloh ran for the cat tree.  I tried to offer Shiloh comfort, but he tore away from me and hid under the couch.  I put Victor in the cage and sat on the floor to think. 

I didn’t have a place to put Victor.  He hated that cage more than any cat I’d ever witnessed in one.  I realized that it was Hershey, Maverick and Shiloh who had been the most noticeably intimidated.  But ALL of the cats in the cathouse had been steering clear of Victor.  Now Shiloh had regressed in terms of interaction with me, Victor was crying nonstop in the cage, and I was without options.  I knew I could do a Special Request post about a home for Victor on my blog, but actually getting a home for him without other cats or at least without other males would take a long time.  I didn’t have a long time.  I couldn’t keep Victor in that cage indefinitely, because as I said - I’d never seen ANY cat so unhappy in a cage.  He is NOT a bad cat.  This was NOT his fault.  But I couldn’t put other cats in danger to keep Victor from having to live in that cage.

As you know, Older Daughter is the Vet Tech for the no-kill animal shelter in a town about half an hour from my home.  I DO NOT send cats to the shelter.  When I rescue a cat, I consider that cat mine to home.  For one thing, I know the kind of love and care that cat will get here.  I feel it is my responsibility to care for that cat like it was my own until I send him or her off to a forever home.  The other thing is that the shelter is ALWAYS full.  I don’t want to take advantage of the fact that my daughter works there.  Also - there are LOADS of cats and kittens that don’t cross MY path, but need a place to go.  I feel that the shelter is their chance.  I don’t want to take even ONE spot that could be open for a homeless cat that needs a spot at that shelter.  But after discussing my current predicament with Older Daughter, we came up with a plan.  The next time the shelter is faced with a stray cat being brought in and no spot to put him or her, I will take that one. 

Victor would be in an enclosure at the shelter (not a cage).  He would be in with other cats, but the staff (including Older Daughter) would watch to see that he is with cats he gets along with.  My setup doesn’t allow for isolation of any one cat unless I put that cat in a cage.  And no cat has ever disliked a cage like Victor does.

Older Daughter has assured me that Victor will get a wonderful home.  He is fantastic with humans.  She will keep an eye out to see that Victor ends up with the life EVERY cat deserves.   He went day before yesterday and moved into a large enclosure with all adult females.  Older Daughter reports that he is having no problems at all and is lounging in the enclosure like he's been there forever.  May the perfect home come along for Victor! 

Comments

[Bellen]

Victor sounds very similar to Luther, a cat I fostered for a while. About a year old when I took him in, Luther was a fun little orange boy, strong, healthy, newly neutered. He was friendly with people and talkative. He also attacked my perma-cats on sight.

There was never any malice or viciousness in his assaults. No hissing or growling on Luther's part. It was as if he thought it was what was done with other cats. But the fur flew and I learned how to pry fighting cats apart with my (well-shod) foot.

It wasn't just my cats that Luther attacked. He went to another home to see if he would fit in there, and not have to be confined to one room. He immediately attacked the resident cat, an oldster who is gentle and unaggressive. Eventually, a foster-home was found for him without any other animals, and he did fine.

Then the rescue-group with whom I volunteer - and who was sponsoring Luther - tried an experiment. A new cat was rescued, a kitten named Fortune. The rescue-group didn't believe Luther would attack a baby. I was dubious. But they were right. Luther not only didn't assault little Fortune, he started associating with him. Fortune quickly grew to love his older 'brother', and they became inseparable. They are now going to be adopted - together - into a home with no other animals.

I don't know how well Luther would do with adult cats, now that he is mellow around Fortune. I suspect that this experience will help him adapt to others. But nonetheless, Victor's story reminded me of Luther. I don't know if it will help you reading this, but I thought I might relate it, if only to write that others have experienced similar events.

Good luck to Victor!

[Kate at Firstchapter]

I think it takes awhile for the testosterone to leave a tom's system once he has been neutered. That is just an observation without any medical knowledge! I once brought a neutered tom who was approx. 2 years old into the fold. He got along fine with the 2 females and the older male, but my younger male would scream like a banshee if the tom even looked at him too long. They never did become buddies.

[Kat & the Teenage Mutant Ninja Kitty Horde]

::hugs::!!! With some Tims (toms who have been neutered) they keep up the aggressive behavior towards other males or even with other cats. I've noticed this before several times with Tims over the years and I've also had to rehome Tims for the same reason. I hope you don't have a single thought that you have failed in any way. Otherwise I'd have to sic the Teenage Mutant Ninja Kitty Horde on you! ::grin:: Knives has borderline behavior. In fact, if he weren't my son's cat I would have already found him another home where he would be happier.

[Random Felines]

Sounds like a good compromise. I am always surprised that even here things can go so smoothly and then everyone decides they don't like ONE GUY!! I had brought in a 7 month old male kitten and I thought it was going to be war and had to take him back to the shelter. Still no idea what was going on or anything.... Glad Victor is safe and you were able to work out a plan for him. ;)

[Mindy Slimmer]

I'm so glad that you DO have your Older Daughter as an option. You have a very CARING heart and help out when you can. No cat should be left behind, but at the same time, you can not ignore all for the sake of one. You did what was right no matter how much it hurts. I think Victor is happier and so are the cathouse kittens; therefore, you should be happier.
I hope that you are not too disappointed at the predicament and move on from this as I know you will be very good to the cat who comes in...who knows, it might be a kitten than needs a little extra TLC it could not get at the shelter. :)
Much Love and an Extra Big Hug,
Mindy :)

[The Poupounette]

Well, Victor's behaviour does sound rather like that of a stallion, albeit one who has recently been gelded. He is very dominant because he is still acting like an entire male, which is the case for several weeks, normally, after gelding. He still lots of testosterone floating around... Hopefully he should quieten down in a little while.

[Connie]

Good for you for taking a path you wouldn't have normally chosen to do what was right by Victor! It can be hard when "your best" isn't good enough, and it can be hard to accept that (Trust me, I've been there got that merit badge)

I know this comment sounds a little snarky, it totally isn't intended to and I can't seem to fix it. I think it is wonderful that it did all work out so well. I hope Victor's family finds him right quick!

[McGuffy Ann]

I hope Victor gets a purrfect home. He needs that.
Unfortunately, I have known Toms to kill male kittens. It is sad, but I have seen it more than once. And yes, the dominance fighting is hard, too. But, they can't help it. It is part of their internal survival drive.
Here is hoping for Victor. He has a chance.

[Andrea and the Celestial Kitties]

Aw Victor, you need a home fast don't you, somewhere with only girls or no other kitties. We hope you get that special home fast! In the meantime, you have your own private harem, do you?

We need to find more forever homes, the cathouse kitties need a place of their own! We need to clear the Cathouse by Kitten Season because you know lots of new ones will be coming by then.

Don't forget, donations! Adoptions! Books!

[meowmeowmans]

I'm so glad that your older daughter was able to work this out. This sounds like a wonderful compromise, and you get to stay true to your principles and beliefs! Paws crossed that Victor finds his purrfect home real soon.

[ginny& the Fur Family]

My gone on over last year kitty - Percy was a rescue cat at the age of one - fully grown. He was on his way to the pound because he kept tearing up the neighbors shurbs and the girl who had him was beside her self. She really lost it when he tore up the corner of her neighbors swimming pool cover... The first day I had him he was agressive toward the others and me.. There's where he made his first mistake... I do not allow one cat to lord over another... dominance... male thing.. I got up in his face and held his face to me and shook a finger and plunked his tender nose with my thumb and fore finger. No -no -no I said in my meanest lowest voice.. and I repeated this same thing over and over when I saw him chasing another cat. In a week or so he was not a lap cat but a real good kitty. Percy was never a lap cat - he had to come to me when I was seated on the couch and he would crawl into my lap and set there contented. He was 18 or 19 when a stroke took him but for three years he was completely blind and yet the got all over the house on his own. I still miss him so much and there is hope for Victor and with the right care he will have a long loved life in a good loving home - you did the right thing - you put him where he has a chance for a home very soon... I love all the personal stories of kitts -- Ginny & The Fur Family

[Lee County Clowder]

Purrrrrring that Victor adjusts, or finds a single cat home quickly.

[Milo and Alfie's mom]

Hoping that Victor gets exactly the right home and the love he deserves. xx