10/08/2017
This tuxedo cat is well known to a few of the neighbors -- the lady next door and the neighbors next to her are all familiar with him (her?). Since we're getting into the colder weather, I began worrying about what will happen to him.
So, I purchased a little side-by-side feeding dish and some cat food, and started leaving food on the patio. The first day, the food was gone but I did not see him eat it. After that, I noticed he came around more often -- obviously aware that I'm a meal ticket. I started leaving the food in the morning and late afternoon. He became bolder and would come to the dish even though he saw me through the patio door. As I read more information about strays, I began sitting on the back step and would move the dish closer to me each time. Although he is very timid, he eventually would go to "his" dish and seemed okay with me sitting there. His ears are up, tail erect -- certainly very calm. As of now, he still doesn't come up to me, nor do I try to touch him. From everything I've read, patience is the key.
Mr. Tuxedo does not seem feral. He never shows up with another cat, and his body language seems very "stray" -- he makes eye contact, he never hisses or growls, and he shows up during the daytime and never at night. (Apparently, ferals are very nocturnal.)
I would love to keep the tuxedo, but my husband has severe allergies, as well as my younger grandson.
Our plan is to have the tuxedo cat trapped so he can be fixed. Perhaps there is some interest in him, and (hopefully), he will make it as an indoor cat. Hopefully, down the road, he will be ready for a forever indoor home. He appears to be pretty young, and I fear what will happen to him this winter.
Well, that's the story! I hope together we can find a great home for this guy!
