I need, eventually, to find a forever home for a gentle gray tabby named Jack...
He's a stray male cat I've been feeding for months. He is not remotely feral, but not really very used to humans (aside from me, and I still spook him sometimes if I move too fast). He is a stray, but not wild.
He loves to be loved. And he is *very* gentle - I have been amazed at his disposition, actually. He'll chew on your fingers a bit (never ever breaking skin) and swat at you if you offend his sensibilities, but he has never once hissed, growled, or been aggressive. One day he was limping and he let me feel all around his front feet without a protest - even between the toes - I was checking for stones or other foreign objects and didn't find anything (turned out to be a stone bruise, I think - limp went away in about 3 days). But anyway, he just sat there and purred while I checked his feet - I was greatly surprised because my male cat Ivan, whom I've had for over 10 years, will still bite the crap out of me if I touch his feet for more than a few seconds.
Anyway. Jack is used to being independent. He shows up regularly every night for dinner and scritch-scratches, and yodels (I swear it sounds like he's yodeling) to announce his arrival. I am going to have him neutered and vaccinated in January or at the latest, February.
I am happy to care for him until he is placed in the right home, but he needs a home, and it can't be mine (many other cats, plus a schedule that might require more traveling in the spring).
He may thrive in a situation where he can be a barn cat, but only if the situation provides him with regular food, shelter, love and medical care. I know outdoor cats are a threat to birds and other wildlife, but he may need a transitional period to becoming an indoor cat, and/or he may be a great rodent-control cat for a farm.
I think he's about 2-3.
I can get photos at some point. We're in Virginia; I will transport him to the right home.
If, during the new few weeks / months, you or someone you know might be interested, please let me know. I also have asked our local rescues to put him on a wait-list for their no-kill shelters or for fosters who can work with him more, but thought I'd spread the word amongst cat-loving DUers.
Thanks for reading, and happy holidays, all.
(This has been cross-posted in a few other forums...)
= new reply since forum marked as read
I have been away a lot and have not yet gotten him neutered, his shots, etc ... things should quiet down for me end of the month so I'll be taking care of all of that in February. He stops by nightly for food and some loving. I need to try to get photos but the camera spooked him a little bit, and it's also usually dark by the time he's here so photos are blurry. I will persevere, though, and get you some photos. I'm slowly getting him used to being held/touched a lot, and he loves to rub his head up against my face (the affectionate kitty head-butt thing they do).
He's turning into a very affectionate cat. Sweet thing sits on our window boxes and stares in each night - breaks my heart but I just can't bring him in without knowing he's FIV negative. He sleeps in the bed I have made up for him (with heating pad 
) so I know he's warm, and he's well-fed, but he's definitely becoming accustomed to affection.
We lived west of Asheville for 5 years ... the Chapel Hill area is nice. If he had "digs" outside - a comfy, warm and safe bed area - that might be a very good set-up. Jack's a small cat ... very tidy in his appearance. Probably 10 lbs max, even after months of access to all the food he wants.
As soon as I have photos I'll send them to you. Might be a while, but I will definitely update you in February.
Thanks for your interest!
