10/07/2026
So...a little over a week ago, I got a call from a woman asking if we were a cat rescue. I explained that we were not, but that we work with many cat rescue organizations and asked what was going on? She was pretty broken up as she explained that her son had returned to a mental health hospital a few weeks ago and left the cat with his father(Bob). Bob is about to go to prison for his 5th O.W.I. and that because of where she lived, she couldn't take the cat. We talked for a bit and I said that we might be able to bring the cat here with us. I thought this was a special situation and Hilary Siegel Redner might agree to taking the cat in. I reported back to the woman that it was a maybe and I'll have to meet the cat. Hilary was out of town during all this. Well the situation at the cat's house started to unravel pretty quickly the next day as Bob didn't think I would come get the cat so he threw it outside. I told the woman to have him get the cat back inside and I'll leave the cat event I was at early and come get the cat. When I arrived, I pulled up to what was once a very beautiful home that has fallen into disrepair. The surrounding homes were in great shape. Upon entering I was overwhelmed with the amount of empty alcohol containers and garbage that was strewn about. Definitely a huge reminder that I once lived like this. Bob was very intoxicated and our interaction wasn't exactly pleasant. The cat (Mufasa) got scared at the yelling and ran under a bed in Bob's bedroom. In order to get the cat, I laid on the floor and was instantly all wet with who knows what. Super-gross to say the least. The underside of the bed was all booze bottles and empty 2 liters and poor Mufasa hiding while Bob yelled at him to get out from under the bed. I asked Bob to get some food and put it in the carrier I brought and call me and I'll come back and get the cat. (I live 20 minutes from him) Bob didn't have any food so I drove to the Piggly Wiggly and on the way there I realized I couldn't breathe and was having an asthma attack. It's been 15 years since that happened. Anyway, I grabbed food, went back and asked Bob to call me after he catches Mufasa who was still under the bed. Bob said no way because he was going to prison (he has to turn himself in on the 12th) and he's not leaving the cat in the carrier while he's in prison. I tried to convince him I'll be right back. Anyway, I ended up putting some stinky food in the carrier, putting it in the doorway of the bedroom and hid around the corner. I waited, still struggling to breathe for Mufasa to go eat. He went halfway in pretty quick so I just had to get him to go in a bit further because if you've ever closed a carrier on a cat that wasn't far enough in, you know they are just as fast jumping backwards as they are forward. He eventually went in and I closed the door. I got the cat! I said my goodbyes to the woman, offered to visit Bob in prison in case he wants to try something different when he gets out and left.
Mufasa was kept in a kennel for 3 days and decided he was ready for the house. Yep, once again no trouble from the cats that live here. Blackjack and Meep Meep are having small attitudes but nothing to worry about. I now call him Moose because he's definitely not a brave king of the jungle cat. He came with a warning about being pet, that's what prompted me to bring him here as a 6 year old cat that doesn't like to be picked up or pet, has a pretty low chance at adoption. Last Saturday I pushed my luck and got the sharp end of his claws and a bit of teeth. Nothing terrible, but screwed up the tendon in my finger for a couple days. Sorry this is so long, but if you made it this far, you'll heed the warning. If you visit, DO NOT PET THIS CAT. He's a great cat otherwise and is really digging his new friends and getting outside in the enclosure. Thanks for reading and in case you didn't know Hilary is pretty pawesome and does understand when a special cat, under unusual cat-distribution circumstances shows up, the only thing you can do is give them a home.
