Tiger Tabby & Maine Coon Mix Ottawa, ON

Nov 15, 2012 - Tiger was adopted today for the second time in in a week.  His first new home proofed inappropriate because Tiger and the resident cat did not get along.  He was no sooner re-posted on the website when he was adopted again. He will not be sharing his new forever home with any other felines so he will be king of the house.  We wish him and his new family a happy life together.


This is Tiger's story:-) Tiger was born sometime in 2011. He is a gentle, intelligent cat. He appeared on the doorstep of a home near an area where there are many abandoned and feral cats. It is a dangerous area for strays because of gangs who chase and kill stray cats for sport. Many people in the area do not like stray cats and chase them away. Happily, Tiger had made his way to a home who liked animals.


The family were unable to take in this little guy because they already had cats of their own, but they fed him and made him a warm winter shelter outside their back door, complete with a heated bowl so that his water would not freeze in the winter. That is where Tiger spent the winter of 2011-2012. It was a fairly warm winter and, on the coldest nights, Tiger would be allowed inside.


Their enclosed yard became his safe haven and he spent most of his time there; but sometimes he would appear with large gashes on him. The people were concerned and called Cat rescue Network to try and get him into a foster home. This takes time because not many people want to foster an outdoor Tom. In the meantime the people kept feeding him and letting him indoors when it was cold. Tiger certainly showed his appreciation.


A very intelligent cat, Tiger quickly learned the areas of the house he was permitted to stay in, he used the litter box and never sprayed in the house, even though they had other cats in the house. He bonded with the man and trusted him so much that he would fall fast asleep on his chest.


The life of an outside cat is hard and cruel, and Tiger was always in danger of being beaten by other cats or people, and there was the risk of him contracting serious diseases. The family posted his picture everywhere, hoping to find him a home, but to no avail. Then, in the spring, the family planned to go on vacation, and then move from the neighborhood. Tiger would be without his protectors. The family had run out of options for him and he would not have been deemed adoptable through conventional shelters. Perhaps death was a kinder alternative than the streets but they really wanted to give this wonderful cat a second chance.


The family contacted Cat Rescue Network again and we agreed to place him in a foster home providing he did not have leukemia. On the day before the family was to leave on vacation, Tiger went to a vet clinic and was tested for FIV/leukemia (he did not have either), he was vaccinated, treated for parasites and taken to the foster home by the man who had worked so hard to save him. He came with a blanket and toy from his temporary home to help ease the transition.


Tiger is now parasite free, healthy, vaccinated and neutered. He has the indoor life he wanted so badly. But the real happy ending to this story will be when somebody wants to share their home with this gentle, intelligent, friendly cat.


Tiger can be dominant with other cats so needs a home where he can rule alone.