Introducing Our Permanent Feline Residents
As mentioned previously, many, if not most, of our HHCS felines are truly not adoptable. Despite their handicaps, health problems, and behavioral issues, we love them all tremendously. Here are just a few of our darling cats, some who have been here for their entire lives and some for just a year or two.
Francie’s Life Journey and Rescue Story
“FRANCIE” is a 14-year-old little lady that we have had since she was approximately 13-14 weeks old. Late one night, HHCS founder Kim Rockshaw found a litter of four feral kittens scurrying across our main street. It was a miracle, but they made it and were immediately trapped and brought to our sanctuary. The momma cat showed up a few weeks later at one of KR’s feral feeding stations. Interestingly, the momma cat was NOT FERAL, but she did have a few medical issues that made her unadoptable. Momma and two of the “kittens” lived with us many years and finally passed away. But Francie and her big, strong (and most feral) sister are still alive and doing well.
Domingo’s Recovery From Behavioral Challenges
“DOMINGO” is an example of one of our kitties with long-term behavioral problems. In his case, he is a chronic sprayer. About 5 years ago, one of our fellow rescuers ended up on Facebook, greatly upset. She had fostered kittens for the OC shelter, and two years later, she saw that one of these kittens had been returned. He was angry, upset, and lashing out at the shelter staff. In short, he had become totally unadoptable! Our friend could not figure out what had happened, since he had been a sweet, nice little guy when she had seen him last.
Giving Domingo a Chance at Life
The shelter was going to put him down, but I was asked to consider taking him. Before I did, I wanted to see the relinquishment notes about him from this adopter who had now given up on his cat. Sadly, as I read the notes, it was oh so apparent that the owner had literally ruined this poor boy. In short, he had done everything wrong in raising “Domingo,” as he made him an outdoor fighting cat. Not providing a litter box also made Domingo even less domesticated.
Years of Patience With Domingo
I decided that “Domingo” (his new name) didn’t deserve to die because of the errors of his first owner. Once here at HHCS, it was a rough start! I could not pet nor handle the cat…and he was NOT feral. He sprayed…a lot! At the vet, he had to be sedated to be handled. But he was perfectly healthy! After years of working with him, I can finally pet Domingo without fear of him lashing out or trying to bite. Just recently, he has started letting me lean down and give him kisses. But if you come to HHCS, in the backyard and garage, you will always smell a faint “hint of Domingo”! I doubt that his spraying behavior will ever change, and so he is what I call a “HHCS lifer.”
Rufus Recovery and Medical Challenges
“RUFUS” is a cat that has only been at HHCS since early 2024. A rescuer friend had done a very sad FB post of an orange cat with horrible mange. I knew that besides being terribly miserable, he would slowly and eventually die from the secondary infections. As much as I love orange kitties, I arranged for this poor fellow to come here to HHCS. Our dear friend and rescuer, Brenda, trapped him and immediately started treating the mange. She also took him up to a low-cost clinic, where the vet wanted him euthanized. Apparently, the newly named “Rufus” also had some weird mouth problems (no, not just bad teeth that could be removed). I got him back here and took him to a great cat vet who neutered him and did a bit of surgery in his mouth. At that time, this vet stated that he felt that Rufus’ mouth issues would come back to haunt him at some point.
Commitment to Rufus Long-Term Care
As you can see from the before/after photos, Rufus recovered nicely from the mange. Sadly, his mouth problems have really started flaring up. Despite his being a feral cat, I medicate him daily, but the meds are not working as well anymore. As soon as we can raise the funds, Rufus desperately needs to go up to the veterinary dentist. I know that this will be terribly expensive and very stressful for poor Rufus. But this is our commitment to help him. He is only approximately 8 years old, and he cannot live the rest of his life with such continual discomfort.
Highlighting Special Needs Felines
THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE SPECIAL NEEDS CATS HERE AT HHCS!