Caring Woman Takes An Injured Feral Tomcat Under Her Wing And Helps Him Blossom Into A Loving Fluff
When we think of feral cats, most of us imagine a hissy, standoffish feline who hates people and wants to be left alone. But that’s not really accurate!
Every feral kitty that wanders the streets of our cities has only one wish: To one day cross paths with some friendly, cat-loving folks who can offer a forever home.
That’s precisely what Ricky was hoping for as he wandered around his neighborhood until he lucked out and ran into Helen, a woman who soon became his forever human.
When we think of feral cats, most of us imagine a hissy, standoffish feline who hates people and wants to be left alone. But that’s not really accurate!
Every feral kitty that wanders the streets of our cities has only one wish: To one day cross paths with some friendly, cat-loving folks who can offer a forever home.
That’s precisely what Ricky was hoping for as he wandered around his neighborhood until he lucked out and ran into Helen, a woman who soon became his forever human.
One day, Helen noticed something luring in her garden. Taking a closer look, she realized it was a feral tomcat that kinda looked like a big raccoon. When she went outside to get a better look, she noticed he had a lot of injuries.
Without a second thought, Helen and her partner scooped him into a carrier and rushed him to the local vet for a thorough examination.
The vet confirmed their suspicions – this cat was in rough shape. He told them the cat had been in so many scraps with other cats that he’d broken his fangs, leaving him unable to fend for himself properly.
Having had cats before, Helen and her partner decided right then and there to give this guy a shot at a better life. So, after his vet visit, they brought him into their home.
Helen reached out to the local animal shelter to report the stray cat she’d taken in, hoping to track down his owner. But unfortunately, no one stepped up. It seemed like Ricky, the name Helen gave him, didn’t have a home to return to.
Determined to make things work, Helen decided to do everything she could to win Ricky over. She and her partner rigged up a warm and welcoming spot in their garage to see if Ricky could adjust to his new digs.
Ricky was on edge, shying away from any attempts at affection and hissing or spitting whenever Helen or her partner got too close for his comfort.
Understanding that Ricky needed space and time, Helen was ready to play the long game. She was armed with a world of patience and was all in on earning the trust of her new, cautious companion.
In the beginning, Ricky seemed famished, gobbling down every bit of food Helen put out for him, leaving his bowl sparkling clean.
With each passing day, Helen and her partner noticed positive changes in Ricky’s health and behavior.
He began to purr, even enjoyed a gentle stroke now and then, and showed a growing curiosity about the rest of Helen’s house, eager to upgrade from the garage to a comfier spot.
Helen recalls the moment Ricky first experienced the softness of the carpet under his paws:
“We always remember the first time that he went on the carpet. He just started rolling over. It was like he was so happy that he had some comfort.”
