Update!

[pitc9]

Oh I hope Best Friends take her!!

[jennielynn1970]

I just emailed Julie and asked for a bio of Ally to give the people at Best Friends of her history from when she got her.... hopefully that will give them some insight and get her some help.

[Kirsten]

I just emailed Julie

Good idea!!! Hope she can help....

Good luck with Best Friends!

Kirsten

[Catty1]

I also went through some of Julie's posts and copied/pasted some note and sent them to Jenn.

Of interest: Ally joined the family when she was 4 weeks old. She would 'squeak-talk' and other stuff.

The 'issues' started when they brought Connor home. In one case, Ally glared hatefully at Connor - then turned around and bit Julie!

Connor would fight back if Ally picked on him - Ally once got an abcess that needed AB's.

There is ONE person Ally never bit - WARREN.

Hopefully this will give BF something to work with - I don't think they are saying no, they just need more info to ensure there is a therapy they can use with Ally.

A minor thought - I wonder if it was worse for Ally because a) she 'lost' her mommy, being adopted at 4 weeks, and b) she could not communicate with Connor as he is deaf. Psychotically frustrated because 'no one understands'?

PT Prayers for all involved.

[emily_the_spoiled]

I think that adding to the mix is that they both wanted to be "top cat" in the household. Connor is trying the same thing here but I have dealt with it differently than Julie did.

[Catty1]

Just curious, ETS - what is the difference in how you are treating Connor regarding this? I have a hunch, but want to hear your take first.

[emily_the_spoiled]

I tried to integrate him into the house but he kept picking on one of the other cats (Charlie). I could not let that continue, so I put Connor in a spare room by himself for most of the day. Then when I get home from work I put Charlie in another room by himself and let Connor out for a couple of hours while I am there to supervise things. When I go to bed, Connor goes back into the spare room and Charlie comes out.

The spare room is a decent size and he has a window over looking the bird feeder in my front yard. He has a double bed to sleep on and toys to entertain himself.

I didn't know what else to do with him beyond re-homing him. (I even had Nancy do a reading on him)

[Catty1]

Okay, I see - I think Ally has/had a separate room at Jenn's - maybe just one other cat who didn't bother Ally and vice versa.

Julie - seems to me their apartment didn't have any spare room. I might be recalled wrong.

I was thinking along the lines of someone taking charge - which you did, in a way - and showing the Alpha kitty who really is the alpha...kind of like one does with dogs, I think.

Wonder how to get that through Ally's skull? Tough love or just plain love?

[Karen]

Maybe Ally just needs to be an only cat. Even in a room all by herself, she can obviously still smell other cats in the household, and her behavior problems at Julie's seemed to begin when Connor was brought home.

Some cats are just not happy unless they are "only children." I wonder if there's someone - maybe a newly-widowed or otherise person who has no animals, but would like another presence in the house - that Jennie could find ... some older folks are reluctant to get a new animal because they worry what would happen if the animal outlives them, but Ally is an adult kitty, and not likely to live another 15 years or anything, realistically speaking, so that needn't be a concern.

[emily_the_spoiled]

You are correct, Ally has a separate room at Jenn's place. She is by herself and she is still aggressive.

(Julie actually has a large house in Bahrain, but the cats were not separated. I am just been alot more structured about removing Connor when he has problems.)

[jennielynn1970]

Maybe Ally just needs to be an only cat. Even in a room all by herself, she can obviously still smell other cats in the household, and her behavior problems at Julie's seemed to begin when Connor was brought home.

Some cats are just not happy unless they are "only children." I wonder if there's someone - maybe a newly-widowed or otherise person who has no animals, but would like another presence in the house - that Jennie could find ... some older folks are reluctant to get a new animal because they worry what would happen if the animal outlives them, but Ally is an adult kitty, and not likely to live another 15 years or anything, realistically speaking, so that needn't be a concern.

There is no way, in my mind, that I could/would subject an older person with Ally's behavior being the way it is. None. I don't anyone would even want to try it out to be honest.

When she was with Autumn and Calloway, she was so nasty to Calloway, and he was limping and had a bad tail to begin with. She jumped right on him and bit him in the tail where he was already injured. That was just a hateful action. Cal is the sweetest, most docile cat, and she just pummeled him. From there she went to a room by herself. I will not allow her to inflict injury upon another innocent cat!

[Emeraldgreen]

Jenn, I mailed off the meds but as mentioned in my PM, I marked on the outside of the box that it contained thumb tacks and office supplies so it doesn't get held up at the border. (unfortunately we have to list everything inside a parcel that is leaving Canada and entering the U.S.) I was trying to think of something that sounded like pills rattling in a bottle in case Customs decided to shake the box and thumbtacks were what I came up with. Anyway, just in case the box gets opened at Customs, I decided to actually put a package of thumbtacks and a pen in there and labeled the contents as 'office supplies' so it's not a complete lie. LOL
I once mailed some acetaminophen with .08mg of codeine that is sold here in B.C. without a prescription to an elderly woman who is a family friend living in Seattle and marked the outside of the parcel 'vitamins' and Customs opened it and confiscated it and sent me a warning letter.
So....enjoy the thumbtacks and pen! LOL
I agree, I would not give Ally to an older person. Our cat George who was once feral was previously adopted out to an older lady and he shredded her to pieces. Her arms were all scraped up and by the end of 6 months she was so terrified of him that she would actually run into another room to hide when he walked in to the room. It has taken lots of patience to get George to mellow out and he has to a certain degree but he reminds us every now and then (once or twice a week) that he still has his feral side by occasionally slashing and biting us. My husband does kind of act like the Alpha male with him by rolling him on his back and rough housing with him a bit. George seems to like it but you can see that he thinks that my husband is dominant over him. He reserves most of the biting for me, the docile food lady.
The description of Ally lashing out at the other cats and even another person when a cat entered the room that she didn't approve of also really reminded me of my other cat Stinky. For the most part she manages to 'tolerate' the other 'intruders' (as I'm sure she considers them) but sometimes out of nowhere she just launches herself on one of them or all of them and it makes me so mad because Jimmy is so gentle and sweet and the next thing he knows he's got Stinky pummeling him for absolutely no reason except that he made the horrible mistake of walking by her. Thankfully it has not resulted in any abscesses but she can get quite nasty. There have been times when she is visibly angry with the other cats and if I try to even pet her she takes a swipe at me with claws out and hisses viciously at me. I know if I tried to pick her up she would shred me.
When I first put her in our outdoor cat enclosure she turned into a wild animal. I didn't even recognize her. She was so freaked out by the 'new' surroundings and the fact that the 'others' were in the enclosure with her that I couldn't go near her for 7 hours. I wanted to get her out of there because she was so obviously upset but when I came within 3 feet of her she was absolutely wild, ears back, hissing, open mouth breathing. Finally after 7 hours she sort of let me handle her to get her into a cage to bring her back in the house and then she was fairly nasty towards me for about a week before she finally forgave me.
I know she would prefer to be an only cat even though she has never been an only cat. During those times when her Herpes virus flares up and she is sniffly and not well, we keep her with us in our room for up to two weeks without contact with the other cats until she is over it to make sure none of the other cats contracts it. The transformation of Stinky's personality during those times is so incredible and dramatic. When it's just me, my husband and Stinky, she turns into the softest, sweetest marshmellowy cat you've ever seen. The 'darker' side of her never makes an appearance until of course we re-introduce the 'others' back with her and then the old pattern continues.
I know this situation in no way compares to Ally because her aggressiveness sounds like it is much worse but it does make me think that down the road, maybe a couple or a single person (who aren't/isn't old) who don't have another cat or dog in the house might be able to provide Ally with a home where she could be Queen.
When I read Ally's Bio that Karen posted in Cat General today I was so surprised to read about the other side of Ally where she casually lounged on top of the computer monitor and played with fuzzy balls that she 'hunted' and seemed to enjoy her family. It was sad to read because she is so obviously different right now but it was also hopeful because the 'old' Ally is in there somewhere and hopefully a wonderful future is waiting for her. Miracles happen and I'm going to keep praying.
p.s. I wanted to buy some fuzzy balls for Ally and include them in the package but I didn't want to delay sending it off any longer so unfortunately I didn't pick any up.

[Catty1]

There's hope? Read about the special rooms at Best Friends...and maybe we could chip in a sponsor Ally? The website says $25 - but I don't know if that is per month or what. (there are over 80 cats waiting for sponsors! )

Jenn - maybe if a few people PM'd you, and you could tell BF that Ally can be sponsored...I know it is just after Christmas, but if a bit could be chipped in...heck, are there enough "Ally" funds left over to sponsor her?
************************************************** *******

http://news.bestfriends.org/index.cf...D4242D0C30638C



"Last year, several animals from around the sanctuary came up with New Year's resolutions. Lois the cat, who has an ornery streak, resolved to harass as many people as possible. And guess what? She did pretty well all year long and then failed miserably right at the end by turning into a (mostly) gentle gal. That's sort of like Evel Knievel trading in his motorcycle for a Segway people mover."

"Lois has been a feisty girl since day one at Best Friends. Her favorite pastime used to be perching on a tall scratching post in one of the cat lobby areas, and then waiting for some unsuspecting visitor to scare. She's no stranger to hissing or swatting. But in the end, seems all she needed to become a gentler Lois was a little privacy. She just doesn't like other cats!"

"After moving into the Cinders Suite, a room reserved for cats who prefer to live alone, she has mellowed out in a huge way. Caregivers can now brush her and trim one toe every other day or so. That's huge. Even so, Lois still knows how to let out a good hiss every now and again to remind people she hasn't lost her spunk. She's just playing it cool in her new private studio apartment. We're glad things have worked out for you, Lois, but better luck this year making a resolution you're sure to keep!"

[Cinder & Smoke]

I just emailed Julie and asked for a bio of Ally to give the people at Best Friends
of her history from when she got her ....
hopefully that will give them some insight and get her some help.

From an article describing Best Friend's "Dog Town" ...

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary Admissions Policy

Clearly, Best Friends cannot bring every homeless pet to this sanctuary. That's why, through the Best Friends Network, we offer numerous solutions to people who have a pet at home or have just rescued one, and feel they cannot, for whatever reason, care for him or her themselves. The best place for these pets is in a good home. And the best chance for a good home is usually right there in their own neighborhood.

Our admissions team usually only accepts animals from other shelters and rescue groups - and that's after all other options have been exhausted. So if you're looking for help with a pet who is already part of your family, or you've rescued a homeless pet in need, it's best not to assume that they can or should come to the sanctuary.

Instead, please check out http://network.bestfriends.org for resources regarding your community and your situation. You'll find communities for each state in the United States and many parts of Canada, as well as for just about every kind of animal welfare issue.

You can also post a lost/found poster or adoption request on the Network.

You can also find lots of helpful tips, articles and resources at: www.bestfriends.org/nomorehomelesspets

When you've done that, you can also contact our Animal Help office at [email protected] or at 435-644-2001 Ext. 4800. Our team here may be able to supplement the lines you're pursuing on the Best Friends Network. They receive approximately 500 calls for help each week, so they check new inquiries every day and set priorities based on the urgency of each situation. An Animal Help specialist will respond to you as quickly as possible based on the urgency of your request.

Thank you for being part of the solution.
------------------------------------------------------
Above taken from the BF Admissions Policy Statement at:
http://www.bestfriends.org/aboutus/admissionspolicy.cfm

/s/ Phred

[jennielynn1970]

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary Admissions Policy

Clearly, Best Friends cannot bring every homeless pet to this sanctuary. That's why, through the Best Friends Network, we offer numerous solutions to people who have a pet at home or have just rescued one, and feel they cannot, for whatever reason, care for him or her themselves. The best place for these pets is in a good home. And the best chance for a good home is usually right there in their own neighborhood.

[b]Our admissions team usually only accepts animals from other shelters and rescue groups - and that's after all other options have been exhausted.

Most other options are gone. Other shelters in the area have turned her down, and the only other option is to put her in a kill shelter.

This ISN'T Ally's neighborhood. That would be Bahrain. And bacck there she'd be put to sleep very quickly.

She has to have suffered emotional trauma at some point. Normal cats donot behave the way he does.