Mopsy, a feral black long hair

[L. Wayne]

As some of those on Pet Talk are aware, that I also take care of a few ferals and neighbor's cats. There is one black long furred cat, that I have named Mopsy, because she looks like a black mop. She has very long fur, which needs attention. She comes to my back door for food or to the front, where I also place food on the air conditioner, in order to keep the neighbor's dogs away. Mopsy is not a totally feral cat. She has allowed me to pet her a few times and she really enjoys it. The problem is getting her to at least, stay on my back porch. The other day, I coaxed her into the back porch with food, but as soon as I shut the door, she forgot about eating and began to cry, wanting back out again. I believe she would fit into my pride because the others do not hiss or attack her. What should I do in order to get her inside where I can take care of her? I am thinking of using a trap or even a carrier when feeding her so I can take he to the vets for a check-up. Apparently, she has been an outdoor kitty for so many years, that she doesn't know how nice it can be indoors. I felt so sorry for her the other day, because she looked like an orphan in the snow as she looked up at me with her little meows wanting to come inside but apparently fearful. It was snowing and some of it had started to accumulate on her long black fur. Any advice would be appreciated.

........wayne

[moosmom]

Wayne,

She sounds semi-feral to me. You might want to get a Have-A-Heart trap from the Humane Society. Put it out with a pie shaped piece of paperplate with sardines on it in very back. Cover the trap with an old sheet or blanket. Dribble sardine juice and put a piece of sardine in front of the trap to coax her into it. Do not leave the trap unattended. Since she has allowed you to pet her, it sounds like it won't take long to trap her.n WORD OF CAUTION: USE GARDEN GLOVES!!!! No bare hands (if you know what's good for you). Once she's in the trap, she MAY spaz out, which is normal. Completely cover the trap once she's in it. This will calm her down. She might thrash about the cage trying to get out , but again, that's normal.

If you are willing, once she is trapped, get her fixed and vaccinated. If you have a spare room, once she's back from the vet, put her in the room with food, water and a litterbox, a radio, and night light.

When you go into the room (give her at least 48 hours to adjust), sit on the floor and read to her, throw her treats, talk to her. She'll probably hide for a couple of weeks, but just keep up with the visitation.

It may take a couple of weeks, or a couple of months. But if you're comitted to giving her a home, it'll be well worth the effort.

If you just want to care for her, you can set up a little shelter (with a 20 gal. Rubbermaid tub). Cut a hole out in the side, put the lid on and flip it over, lid side down. Insulate it with newspaper, hay and a blanket. At least she'll have shelter from the elements, and food and water.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[K & L]

Yes, use a humane trap and get her/him inside! Do you have a seperate room you could keep him in until you get a clean bill of health from the vet? Have you checked out Alley Cat Allies site on how to trap? http://www.alleycat.org/

[jenluckenbach]

I think you have all the info you need, I'd just like to add "good luck" and keep us posted.

[L. Wayne]

Thanks for your responses. OK, I will look into getting a humane-trap for her. Yesterday morning, when it was so cold outside, she was in my basement with Panther, apparently sleeping in one of the kitty houses that are down there. This is not the first time I have seen her in the basement, but normally she does not stay there, but prefers to be outside. Thanks again

(later) I just now went downstairs to check on my ferals and neighbor's cats. Mopsy was down there again, but she runs out the pet door whenever I descend the steps. At least she is getting used to being indoors during these extra cold days.

.........wayne

[K & L]

That's good that she at least has somewhere to get in from the weather! That's a good thing.

[L. Wayne]

Yesterday, it was sunny and warm outside, so I took my lawn chair and sat in it for a while. Then came Mopsy out to greet me. I soon found out that she is very affectionate, and jumped up on my lap - and who loves to be tummy-rubbed. She is not a feral but rather an affectionate stray. She was somebody's pet an one time, but the neighbors across the street, who described her as a feral, said that she was pregnant . But I have not found any signs of that. It could be that if I continue to win her confidence, then she may want to come inside. She even allowed me to pick her up with a little protestation. Her long fur was getting matted in a few spots, so I cut off the balls of fur on her. I think she has a case of kitty dandruff, becuase of the white flakes that appeared on her coat when she was petted. I have never seen a stray who warmed up to me so quickly. Needless to say, I am a bit surprised at her.

[jenluckenbach]

Well, it is good to know that you can handle her. Hopefully she is not pregnant or that you will be willing to have her spayed before that happens. It is an awsome responsibility to take on cat after cat, but we all appreciate that you do it. Keep posting the update.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Wayne, I'm so jealous of your warm weather....oh, to sit in a lawn chair.....

And congratulations on the progress you made with Mopsy! Give you a few more warm days and she'll be....no, actually, you'll be at her command. ;) :D

[L. Wayne]

T & P M, the weather that day was one of those days with an approaching weather front. It felt to be about 70 deg. (21* C) outside. By the time the afternoon roled around the wind had shifted to the north and I could feel the temps beginning to drop.

At any rate, an update on Mopsy. I coaxed her on to my back porch. She is very affectionate, as she gave me plenty of head bumpies. Mopsy does not meow, but rather she makes little squeeks, and she is a talkative furkid, because everytime I call her, she answers with a little squeek. I got her, after a few tries, into my pet carrier by picking her up and brought her inside, with the other furkids. None of them attacked her, although there was some protests from the 3 that I normally hear such from, namely Fawn, Cookie, and Amy. Last afternoon, after being in the carrier for about an hour, to see how my others would accept her, I took her out of my carrier on to the back porch with a blanket inside of a box, a litter tub and plenty to eat. I will try to take her into the vets today or possibly tomorrow. She is so dirty with all of that long fur. I do not know if I should get her trimmed up and bathed. I will let the vets' tell me what to do, as Mopsy is the first stray rescue with long fur that I have had experience with. Mopsy is not a long furred Persian, although even without the pug-nose which that breed of cat has, she has the equally, long fur. :)

..........wayne

[jenluckenbach]

.Wayne, if you live closer I'd groom her myself . (that is may specialty, you know);) Can't wait to hear more updates

[kimlovescats]

Hi Wayne!

That is wonderful news about Mopsy! I am going through the same thing right now with the 3 semi-feral kittens I recently took in! The yellow one is a total lover boy now.... no signs of any feral
behavior .... the siamese mix still resists all of the other cats, but is now purring and absolutely rolls over for tummy rubs from me now! (Huge improvement!!!!) The 3rd, the little tux boy is still very scared, but is now starting to purr and brush up against me for more!!! I'm so thrilled! I just know in a few weeks, these 3 will be ready to be full-time indoor family cats!!!

Hang in there with Mopsy ... it is sooooo rewarding! But I'm sure you already realize that!;) :D

Kim

[L. Wayne]

Thanks for the encouragement, all. Mopsy has such long fur that it is impossible to tell where her anatomy ends and begins:D When she walks about she looks like a big black ball of furr with a head, a fluffy tail and four short legs on it. Her eyes are yellow, but otherwise she resembles a long furred black Persian except she does not have the pug nose. She loves to lay on my bed, however, and never stops exploring the house. I wish I could give her a bath, she definitely needs one. I did manage to find a picture of a black male cat that resembles Mopsy. It is found in the site "Angles for Animals". Using Google search engine, it should be the first one that pops up. Look to the right of the beer and you will see a black male long-haired cat.

Jen, if I lived closer to you, I would definitely bring her over for you to clean up.

Kim, good for you. I am sure that those 3 kittens will steal your heart away.BTW, are they all from the same litter? And I'm sure you are looking toward the soon-to-come day when they will have total trust in you. that does sound exciting. How did you come across all 3 of them? From your explanations of their colors and breeds, it sounds like 3 several kittens or perhaps if they are from the same litter, the queen may have had 3 males mate with her.

I just returned from viewing Kansas and Missouri animal shelters with photos of cats for adoption, "Cuteness overload":)

[jenluckenbach]

if this works it should be a link to Zach, the cat that resmbles Wayne's Mopsy:
http://www.angelsforanimals.org/cats/Zach-C02-0724.jpg

[K & L]

That's wonderful news! We take our long hairs twice a year to the groomers and have them shaved. That might be a consideration. Of course, you could just have her bathed and brushed also!

[L. Wayne]

Jen, yes, that is the right one. Although this pictured cat has a set of white wiskers, and a brown coat, it is still a good representation of her. Mopsy makes my 12th furkid. Right now she is sleeping under my bed, apparently being a bit afraid of the other 'kids. There are two who have already accepted her, namely Chris and Neptune, the kitten. However, Mopsy is in no mood to play because everytime Neptune comes to her to play, she bats him away. But give her time, she will accept the others as they are.

I can't get over how easy she was to win over. All it took was some persistant feeding and then some petting. I do not know how long Mopsy has been a stray, but from what I can gather, apparently, at least 2 years, and possibly more. What's more, no one seems to know where she came from. I am thinking that because I live on the edge of town and about 1000 ft, from the Virdigris River, she is possibly an abandoned pet. It could also be that whoever had her did not want to take care of her coat and the associated expense and problems.

K & L, thanks for the tip about getting her groomed and washed, There is another vet in town that I know does that kind of work, and possibly the one I trade with all the time does also.

.......wayne

[moosmom]

WAY TO GO WAYNE!!!! I'm so glad that Mopsy has made herself at home with you. She sure knew where to go. Looks like you've got yourself another furkid! :D

[L. Wayne]

Last night Mopsy slept with me on the bed covers. I suppose her kitty habits are cleaning herself up, because she looks much better that she did yesterday. The others are still afraid of her, because she bats them away whenever she feels threatened. I plan to take her in today for a clean-up. Mopsy has been trained by her former owners, in that she will not jump up on to the covers unless she is specifically given permission! (She also kneads and drouls when being petted and/ or brushed) Although I do not approve of that kind of behavior, I'll have to train her to jump up on to the covers any time she wants. After all, this is her home too. Late last night she was meowing wanting to get back on the covers again. Apparently, she had jumped off for some reason and considered it necessary to ask permission to jump back on again and since I didn't answer, she was found sleeping in the adjacent room by herself by the time I got up. I suppose it will take about 2 weeks for her to become re-trained to accept all around this place. I am still trying to keep her from going outside, and meowing to get out the door. She is the type of furkid that parks herself in a position to do something and stays there until I move her or she deems in necessary to change location. Odd behavior.

[jenluckenbach]

She sounds so sweet. And she will most certainly learn to loosen up. Then I am sure she will come up on the bed (and other, less desirable places) all by herself.:D

[K & L]

She sounds wonderful. Don't you wonder why anyone would let her go? You've done a wonderful thing by taking her in. She sounds adorable!

[L. Wayne]

K & L, Yes, and what is more inconceivable, is that her personality fits right in with my other furkids. So, many times it is easy to find a stray who cannot get along with any other furkids. and sometimes, it is little wonder why the owners got rid of such a cat. But Mopsy, is just as affable as those that I purposely hunt for in the shelters, and here she is at my back door! And it is like you say, how could anyone want to get rid (especially by dumping) of a perfectly mannered little lady like Mopsy? It defies my imagination!

.........wayne

[K & L]

It was meant to be!!! She found the perfect home. I love stories like this.

[Logan]

Mopsy knew where to come, Wayne!! She sounds like a wonderful addition. Keep us posted on how she is doing, and thank you for taking her in. :)

Logan

[L. Wayne]

Mopsy is at the vets' this morning to get a bath and a general check- up. I couldn't get her to go into the carrier this morning, so I placed a can of cat food in it, in order to make her go inside.:D

Between Chris and Neptune, I had to carry both of them out of the room and shut the door, so I could work with Mopsy. These two follow me around all over the place, regardless of what I am doing.:), especially Chris. He is more like a puppy rather than a kitty.

.........wayne

[L. Wayne]

I just returned with Mopsy about an hour ago. The vet gave her a clean bill of health, no FeLV, which was my main concern. They also gave her a bath and a brushing down. Her coat color is really black, and not a gray/black as she was when I took her in there. I asked if she was dirty, to which the receptionist replied, Yes! Mopsy was so dirty that she actually smelled like a dog:) But now my little furkid is in good shape, other than the sedative they gave her in order to administer a bath.:D Welcome Mopsy, my # 12 furkid.

.........wayne

[slick]

Oh Mopsy you precious thing!!! I'll bet you smell so "perddy!!" Got some pictures???? So glad you got a clean bill of health. Now you can settle down in your forever home.:D Way to go Wayne!!

[jenluckenbach]

Wayne, I count 13:
1 fawn
2 Tiger
3 cookie
4 Amy
5 Tiara
6 Blue-Czarina
7 Sammy
8 King Otis
9 Happy
10 Puma
11 Chris
12 Pepper/Neptune
13 Mopsey
Is this a correct list?
Glad Mopsy is all spic & span now and with a clean bill of health.

[L. Wayne]

slick no, I do not have any pictures of her, but if you look at the photo that Jen found, she looks exactly like that cat, except her coat is solid coal-black.:)

........wayne

[L. Wayne]

Jen, that is an old list, because Sammy cat is RB. Sammy cat was a yellow kitten that died of distemper, last October. As an added thought, not unless what is meant by Sammy is actually Sunny- cat another adoptee that is an outdoor furkid However, Pepper/Neptune hasn't been here that long, perhaps 3 weeks. But 12 is enough, don't you think so. :) Although I have room for a few more and I might just get some more, especially if they come to me like Mopsy did.:D

.........wayne

[ChrisH]

I am so glad that everything has turned out well for you and Mopsy, what a wonderful addition she is. And bless your heart for giving her a forever home.

Chris

[kimlovescats]

Hi Wayne!

I am so pleased to hear that Mopsy has already partially been accepted into your family!!! What manners that girl has about the bed...lol!!!

I guess you didn't see my post about having placed a rescue ad in our local newspaper. That is how I acquired all these fosters recently! The 3 kittens are all from the same litter, as far as we know! Believe it or not ... like you said ... they probably had multiple fathers!

Coincidentally, I placed on of the "older kittens today" ... but the woman left a gorgeous long haired black maine coon mix with me. He is almost 5 years old, neutered, and front declawed. He is awesome, and I plan to keep him if he blends with my clan. He is still scared and hiding under the bed, but when he ventures out, I will take pics of him. It sounds like he and Mopsy look very much alike!

Kim

[kimlovescats]

Wayne... here are a couple of pics of Chandler ... is this what your Mopsy looks like?

http://mystorage.homestead.com/files/ChandlerOrangeWall.jpg

http://mystorage.homestead.com/files/Chandler.jpg

[Songlover]

Hi Wayne, I am so happy to hear about the progress you have made with Mopsy.

I have not had time to read all the posts this morning, but the only concern I have about Mopsy coming in and out of your house, is the possibility of her infecting your other kitties in case she has any contagious disease etc.

I know that you are planning to take her to the VET as soon as possible, and hopefully that will be very soon so that you can be sure that she is healthy enough to live with your cats.

She sounds wonderful and appears to be a natural beauty, too.
Congratulations, Wayne, and keep up your very humane work!
regards from Deborah in deep, frozen Montreal...P.S. A lawn chair in the sun!!! How I envy you!!!!

[moosmom]

What K & L said. It was DEFINATELY meant to be!! Love those happy endings. I knew the minute I let Eli loose that he would fit right in and he did. See?

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Originally posted by jenluckenbach
Wayne, I count 13:
1 fawn
2 Tiger
3 cookie
4 Amy
5 Tiara
6 Blue-Czarina
7 Sammy
8 King Otis
9 Happy
10 Puma
11 Chris
12 Pepper/Neptune
13 Mopsey
Is this a correct list?
Glad Mopsy is all spic & span now and with a clean bill of health.

:eek: :eek: Geeze o man, Jen! :eek: :eek: I don't know how you can remember the names of your own 13, much less someone else's 12/13! :eek: :eek:

Wayne, I'm so happy everything is working out so well with Mopsy. She sounds adorable, and like she'll fit right in. :)

Now the question is....Wayne has 12, Jen has 13. Is Jen going to get more to keep ahead of Wayne since Wayne has already said he would take more in if they came to him? Stay tuned for the next episode......;) :D

And Wayne, and Jen, I'm only teasing since I am totally jealous of the fact that you can have so many furkids......and can still consider taking in more....how wonderful to have so many fur friends. :)

[jenluckenbach]

Hey T & P, how is this for a list.
catmandu has 14
1)Michael
2) Princess
3)Precious
4)Benjamin
5)Moose
6)Rocca Baton
7) Sam
8) Bobo
9) Joseph
10) John
11) Diane
12) Rascal
13) Sheba
14) Cassandra

:D

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Originally posted by jenluckenbach
Hey T & P, how is this for a list.
catmandu has 14
1)Michael
2) Princess
3)Precious
4)Benjamin
5)Moose
6)Rocca Baton
7) Sam
8) Bobo
9) Joseph
10) John
11) Diane
12) Rascal
13) Sheba
14) Cassandra

:D

:eek: :eek: :eek:

You must have these written down someplace. Either that or I'm getting way too old. ;) :D :eek: :eek:

[K & L]

OK, here's mine:

Home
1. Gypsy
2. Spike
3. Beavis
4. Shadow
5. Olive
6. Parker
7. Paisley
8. Larry/Jerry
9. Barney
10. Blaze
11. Bear
12. Porch
13. Bo
14. Bentley
15. Boo
16. Gabby
17. Bailey

Park
Tootsie, Paris, Elvis, Belle, Rhett, FunnyFace, OJ, Freckles, Calypso, Cheeto, Button, MiniMe,Woody, Trixie, Corky, Newman,Cat Balue, Piglet, Cleo, Bond, Sylvester, Puzzles, Sunny, Cricket, Lucky, Fluff, Whozit, and on..and on...and on.....

Here's a link to some of the cats at the park:

http://www.mindspring.com/~neal241/azcats/saguaroranch/saguaroranch.html

[jenluckenbach]

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

OK UNCLE !!! I give up !!! You win. :D

[L. Wayne]

Kim, yes that is exactly what Mopsy looks like, in fact, I thought someone already had a picture of her when I saw those. She does not have a little white bib on her chest, however, but that is a minor descrepancy, also I am thinking that her fur is a little longer. Thanks for bringing those photos up. I forgot to mention that Mopsy is no small kitten. I weighed her this morning and she is 10 lbs (4.53kgs). And even with her long fur that makes her appear larger than she really is, her overall lenght from nose to tail is about 30 inches (84 cm).

K & L that is a huge brood. How do you find the time to give to each furkid? Even with my 12 I have troubles with a few of them, mostly because of Mopsy occupying much of my time. I have a pin-up bulletin board next to the telephone. When ever I see papers on the floor I immediately know that Happy is not happy with my divided attention. He is the only furkid that does this whenever he feels as though I am avoiding him. Mopsy tries to avoid those who hiss and growl at her. I can understand her desire to sleep somewhere other than in the presence of those who have not accepted her yet. I hope this reaction lasts only for a few more days. I keep picking her up and placing her on my bed, so she will get used to it being her own place.

Songlover, when I first brought Mopsy in, I kept her isolated from the others. It was necessary to see how the other would accept her before I could let her inside with them to roam around at will.
I had a strong suspicion that she was OK healthwise, because of her being spayed and living outside without becoming sick. She was obviously some one's pet that probably had been dumped. so, I am sure she has had her vaccinations, along with her spaying.

..........wayne

[Songlover]

Hi Wayne, I was so happy to hear that Mopsy is healthy and from what you said, she probably is someone's lost or abandoned kitty!! She is a very lucky kitty now, however!! It sounds as if things are working out well in regard to her fitting in with the other cats. This is just great and I am so happy that you were there to help her, dear Wayne, helper of MANY, MANY furkids in the past!!!

Keep up the good and necessary work...regards from Deborah in Montreal

[L. Wayne]

Deb, thanks for the flowers:D I enjoy all of the support that is so commonly expressed on this forum.

Mopsy is now beginning to lay on my bed. Not only does she sleep on the covers at night, but she also has learned to obey a command that I have just taught her. Namely, "lay down". If I tell her to lay down, she does it. Smart kitty.:) also, I have seen few cats that love to be scritchied as does Mopsy.

......wayne

[K & L]

How did Mospy's grooming episode go? As far as time, between my husband & I they seem to get all they need. Each one requires a different amount, some much more than others. As the park cats go, the only attention they want from us is our food:D It is a hoot to watch them come running when we drive into the park. They sure know our car!

[moosmom]

Wayne,

I NEVER expose any new kitty to my family until they've been to the vet and gotten a clean bill of health. But that's how I do things. I know everyone is different. I would hate to have your kitties' health compromised.

Never say NEVER. You say:


I had a strong suspicion that she was OK healthwise, because of her being spayed and living outside without becoming sick. She was obviously some one's pet that probably had been dumped. so, I am sure she has had her vaccinations, along with her spaying.

Could she have been dumped because she was pregnant with kittens? Alot of times the vets can't even tell a cat is spayed until they shave the area and locate a scar. I would also have her tested for feline aids and leukemia. If she is a carrier, then you have just exposed all your other cats to her. I would think twice about having her looked at by a vet. Just my humble opinion.

[L. Wayne]

Donna, yes, I agree with you, but that has all been taken care of. Did you read my post carefully about that testing? Mopsy is OK, health wise, and she is definitely not pregnant. Much of this idea about pregnancy was propigated by the across-the-street neighbors who apparently had her in their basement as a stray last winter, 2001-2. But then again, I may have been mistaken about which cat they were talking about. Also, there are no kittens about the neighborhood at least from her. All of my furkids have had their vaccinations for rabies, FeLV, FIV, and distemper.

K & L. Her grooming went well, they did not cut her fur, but did cut a little off of her neck and chin because it was all matted up. Otherwise, she looks great, and she came back a darker black, because they had washed all the dirt off from her. I can concur with what you said about the time some of our furkids need for attention. I have some who never come to me unless they want something other than attention. And I have others who can get highly insulted if I do not take the time to give them attention, and some who are always clamouring for attention whether they get any or not.;)

[NoahsMommy]

Wayne! I love Mopsy...she sounds just wonderful! :) Such a smart girl too...I will never understand how people can leave thier cats somewhere. Its amazing. :(

Glad she's healthy and happy. You are such a sweetie Wayne...

[moosmom]

Wayne,

Sorry, I must've missed the other post. I'm glad she's happy and healthy with your brood. You're up to 13 now??? Way to go Wayne!

[L. Wayne]

Donna, no need to apologize. No, I have 12 now, and that is enough. Although it has crossed my mind more than once to adopt others, But I am finding that there is only so much time in the day, and I cannot give each furkid the necessary attention that they may want. It seems as though when one wants special attention, they all want it. Yesterday, Chris was angry at me, mostly because I hadn't fed him with special food nor watched him like I have Mopsy. It is difficult to welcome a new comer like Mopsy, and watch for her welfare, and yet be mindful of what all the others are doing also. After giving some special tuna, he went back to being his usual self, tearing through the house at break-neck speed, and crashing into things. He is a real character.

I finally got Mopsy to sleep on my bed, and now she is becoming used to being there both night and during the day. She adopts very quickly. The other "protestors" are calming down whevever they see her and she is becoming more confident about this being her new home. Mopsy doesn't do much except sleep and eat. I do not know if she is going through an adjustment period and will change her behavior later, or not. After all, this is probably the first time in her life to be adopted off the streets into a home that has everything provided for her, and such a change may take some time for her to become acquinted with.:)

......wayne

[moosmom]

Sounds like she's really adapting well. So glad to hear it. Hey, what's one more is what I say. Although I'm at my limit now.