Joseph Update

Thank you all for your well wishes for Joseph. We have learned a lot about this pleasant fellow over the weekend.

First, let me say that we were totally spellbound by Joseph, and did a crazy thing by taking him in without a future plan for him. Quite honestly I feel he was asking us for help and we had no choice. I've heard stories about this kind of thing from other people, but now I understand it completely. It has amazed us at how grateful he seems. Again, I've heard other people say their rescued dog or cat is grateful, but I'd never experienced it until now.

Joseph is a love bug for sure, but not clingy and can be left alone. He’s not shy around new people and tolerated a front paw nail clipping. Every day that he feels secure and is getting nutritious food, his coat gets cleaner and shinier. It seems like he is taking a respite from being outdoors since he really hasn't tried to get back out there at all.

However…

Unfortunately, we can't keep him. The number one reason is he's an adult male (former tomcat) at least a year and a half to two years old, and Snafu will not tolerate another cat. We don't have the space inside the house, vertical or otherwise! He won't be able to live in our shop over the winter because there's no heat. Number two, we have learned that Joseph doesn't like (or trust) dogs and he will challenge them. I'm sure when he was on his own he ran into many dogs that did not treat him well, so we can't blame him.

The least, but none the less important, reason is that we just can't afford another pet. Buzz has recently been diagnosed with cancer and we will need to focus our resources on her for as long as she is with us.

We have reached out to our cat loving friends, but no one is able to take him.

So, Joseph remains in our care. Ultimately he will need additional medical care before he can go to his forever home. I called our vet and priced it out with them:

 General Medical Exam - $43
Feline AIDS/Leukemia/Heartworm Test - $53
Distemper - $25
Distemper Booster - $25
Feline Leuk - $29
Leuk Booster - $29

 That's over $200!

We are definitely going to need financial help with this! Some of you may know (via Facebook) that we just went through this with a little rescued Maltese Shih Tzu mix named Maddie who we just placed in her forever home. And here we are again! Please let us know if you're familiar with any feline rescue resources we can tap into. I've also set up a "Donate" button for anyone who has the means and can contribute to his care (or call At Home Veterinary Care at (207) 582-8800 to donate directly to his account under Lisa Kolosey). 

We would be very grateful and Joseph already is.

Thank you for stopping by!

~MamaLisa