Domestic Short Hair - gray and white, Tabby [Mix]

Well, Decker has transitioned from an outside feral to an inside, very affectionate, very tame cat. He just needed that chance to prove to us that he didn't belong there!

Since he began chasing our cars down the road when we left the feral colony, we placed him in our outside enclosure for his own safety. We installed a misting system, then eventually a guest bathroom opened up, so Decker finally got to come inside. But this is still quite small, and kittens are occupying the larger foster room. The ALF Inn is quite full! Decker would love to have some room in a home with some humans to love on! He's a great lap cat! Can't leave one unoccupied. He purrs, rubs, kneads, gives the greatest loving looks in your eyes. Rubs his face on yours. The only problem is his exuberance and expression with teeth. Decker likes to give love bites, and sometimes a bit too hard. We'll ask that potential new owners have experience with cats that mouth, and will have tolerance and patience, and not exert physical punishment on him.

Great news! Decker is cat AND dog tested, and he's just fine with others! Because he bites, he shouldn't be in a home with young children, although when a 10 yr old visited, Decker was smitten, and didn't use his teeth once! But he will adapt quite easily with other cats and with nice dogs. This is one of THE most affectionate cats we've met! He hugs. Literally! And when you're holding him over your shoulder and you kiss the back of his head or his shoulder, he always turns his face toward the human's for REAL kisses! Really!!

If you want a by-your-side companion, who will come when called, follow your lead, snuggle with you all night long, and gently pat your face, Decker's your guy!

Please submit an online adoption application to meet Decker.

June, 2009:

We always suspected Decker was not truly feral, but had been left behind by irresponsible owners who picked up and moved out of the condos just to the North of this colony, leaving Decker outside, frightened, and - worst of all - unaltered! He was fully mature by this time, so we easily trapped him and got him neutered. However, during his discharge from the clinic, his trap was not secure, and he managed to escape, still groggy from anesthesia! A volunteer quickly tackled him and got him back into the trap without incident. For the next 48 hours, Decker loudly complained about all the cards that he had been dealt! he told anybody who would listen!

That was December, 2008, and Decker is still telling everyone who will listen! Which is really not a good idea for a feral cat living in an outdoor colony. We always tell him, "Shh! Don't bring attention to yourself! There are mean people everywhere." But he doesn't listen, and just can't understand why we don't either!

Recently Decker has decided not to take "No" for an answer any longer, and he's begun petting himself when we feed. He runs to greet the truck, winds between our legs while we walk, practically tripping us, he pushes his head under our hands while we try to refill the dishes, and when we stand up, he stretches his legs up onto our legs, and digs in his claws. He really does not want to be alone any longer! He even runs after our vehicles now, through the parking lot, cyring loudly, looking so forelorned and crushed that we could leave him behind!

So we're changing our classification of Decker. He's NOT feral! But he's not yet your typical adoptable cat. Some things that we didn't tell you about, is that he is still somewhat afraid and will bite. We've seen this behavior before, and it usually passes after several months in a stable home, where the cats finally feels secure that he's loved.

Decker also chases the other cats off from that feeding station, to the point that they are now afraid of him. So we think he should be an only cat, and indoors, so he doesn't fight with others.

Decker has been neutered, and will be tested prior to adoption. For now, we've had to leave him at the colony, because there is no room for him at the ALF inn. We're installing misters in the enclosure that was built last year, since the plants have not yet grown enough to provide enough shade and reduce the heat. We'll try him in the enclosure, but that can't be a permanent home for any animal! It was never intended for that.

We're looking for a special home for Decker, a cat-savvy owner who isn't afraid, but is patient. Someone who can teach Decker which behaviors are inappropriate, without hitting him and causing him more fear. Someone who has a lot of love, which WILL win out in the end, but will take commitment, and time.

Decker is a very handsome boy, and we promise to post better pictures of him very soon. He craves love and security. Do you think you have the purrrrfect home for our boy?

If so, please submit an online adoption application to meet Decker.

We typically adopt within the Phoenix metropolitan area. If you are out of the area, we recommend searching Petfinder for a pet waiting in a shelter near you, by clicking here.

All of our animals are homeless when they come to us. We don't know their history or pedigree. Breed and descriptions are our best guess, based on appearance and sometimes personality traits. We cannot guarantee their information.

If you are unable to adopt at this time, please consider making a donation to help us continue to care for cats such as this one. We do not recover any costs associated with spaying and neutering, and often treating illness or injury, and the lifelong feeding of many other cats who are not as lucky as this one. Click here to make a donation to ALF.

Thank you for your interest in helping homeless animals.

Original bio, Dec 2008:

Decker is Feral. He has been neutered, and released back to his colony. A caretaker is needed to "adopt" this colony. You would provide daily food and water to the colony, and occasionally trap/neuter/return any new arrivals. If you can provide this life-saving act of kindness to these cats who have been neglected or abandoned and left to survive on their own, please visit our Volunteers page to get started. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of many. To learn more about Feral Cats, please visit Alley Cat Allies at http://www.alleycat.org/.