Feral Paws Rescue

Saving Feral Cats

A Touching Story About A Cat Named Ghost That We Sent a Help Alert Out For
 

 A Message From The Caretaker Of Ghost

 Please thank everyone for me!  I'm actually hoping to move to Vallejo by end of year (with ALL my ferals).  I have the loan of a drop trap I am picking up tonite.  Ghost has stopped coming to my porch to eat and sleep but is still in the yard.  I saw him again this morning.  I think he has found a less accessible part of the back yard to hide in.  Not knowing his regular hangout, and not being able to tempt him with food will make it tricky but I am determined to nab him.  I do plan to contact Actors and Others and Lifeline for help but kinda need to know exactly what is going on with Ghost first.  He definitely has to be shaved and that means keeping him in my bathroom for awhile..he can't run around outside naked!
   This message has been sent to a number of folks in the rescue community.  However, I asked the lady who sent the original message, and whose yard the cat keeps frequenting, whether or not the matter had been resolved.  She said folks have given her suggestions for trapping "Ghost" and offered the loan of a drop trap.  But then she said, "I'd hate to trap him knowing I don't have any funds to get him to a vet, and he needs help."  Do you know of any vet in the N. Hollywood area that would see this kitty on a "low income" basis?  Bonita has no funds, and mine are very limited, as I recently lost my job too.  But the kitty doesn't deserve to suffer, and I would do what I can. Her personal vet's name is listed at the bottom of her plea as well.  Your assistance would be greatly apreciated especially by "Ghost"
 
Mari Schultz
San Diego, CA  
HELP! - Feral Cat w/Stick Stuck in Roof of Mouth - Need Help Trapping and DONATIONS for Vet Care ASAP  Ghost showed up in my backyard a week ago.  He had a stick stuck in the roof of his mouth, and I have tried every trapping trick in the book to get him, but he is trap savvy. 
He somehow got the stick out, but I'm sure part of it is still in there because he is drooling profusely and not eating very much.  I am in a panic, because I want very much to help this feral cat, but haven't the funds to get him medical care, nor can I get A HOLD of him. I am asking for help in obtaining a drop trap (which I don't know how to use, so I'll need physical help with that), or help in trapping him from some expert trappers and for donations toward his medical care.  I recently posted for help for one of my own cats, because I am completely broke since the IRS recently garnished my wages.  I hate to go begging again, but this poor cat does not deserve to live in pain.   The pictures are not that good since they came from my phone camera, but it is the best I can do. He is very skittish and bolts if he even knows someone is looking at him.  I have a paypal account at: bonitaberger@aol.com  (at  aol.com).Donations can be called in to the vet: Dr. Sunada  11561 Oxnard StreetN. Hollywood, Ca 91606 Phone 818-508-8530 Any Help will be very much appreciated. It kills me every day to know he is in my backyard,and I can't help him.
 
Bonita Berger
Encino, Ca 91436 

Email Update Sent To Us Regarding Ghost Update

Thank You Stray Cat Alliance They Paid $400 Plus For The Cost Of Ghost Medical Needs!Here is the story of a feral named Ghost who turned up sick in my yard in spring, 2008. Ghost prior to trappingI borrow a drop trap from SCA and spend a day mending it and improving it and then all Friday eve and all Sat with it set up in diff places with different bait trying to get Ghost. Toby and Precious check out the trap: 7:30 Sat night, Ghost is nearly all under it so I spring it.  Then I fling a blanket over it to calm him, attach a small trap for transporting him and recruit a neighbor to help me get him into the small trap:I cover the trap completely to calm Ghost and take him to Westside Emergency in  Santa Monica at 8 pm: Also very nice and a good vet.  He helped me carry Ghost in.  I filled out the paperwork and left poor Ghost to be examined.  At 7 in the morning I pick up Ghost, who has had his teeth all pulled and been shaved of all his matted fur. He's also tested positive for FIV.  He looks pitiful.  They kindly put him in a carrier to go home: We go home and Ghost takes up residence in a small 3 level midwest condo cage where we leave him for now, refusing to eat, take meds or anything but miserable......(more as the story develops) Stray Cat Alliance loaned me the $400+ for Ghost.  I have raised $100 towards paying them back so far (plus an unknown amount in addition).  If anyone would like to make a donation for Ghost (please title it FOR GHOST), it can be sent to Stray Cat Alliance, PO Box 491214, Los Angeles, CA 90049.    PS my other sick FIV+ stray, Toby, went to the vet Sat am.  His bill has been entirely paid (kisses you special folk)Ghost may be feeling too thankful right now (grrr, hiss, swat) but that will change. I sure am. God bless ALL of you and bring you light and love.Thank you.  Ghost has a ways to go (since I can't get meds into him right now) but I hope I may even be able to tame him....Bonita

        
 
Update On Ghost From His Caretaker

 April 1, 2008

I just saw Ghost this morning.  Apparently he won't come to the porch if he thinks I'm around (I can't blame him.)  He's still resembles a skinny rat with no hair, but he was chowing down happily on his favorite dry food, so I think his mouth is in much better shape.  I went to get my camera and of course he had disappeared while I did that.  But he looked like he was eating without pain.  Hurrah.

 
Bonita 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
April 2, 2008

   Ghost, the feral kitty with the injured mouth, came back from the vet with his fur shaved and all his teeth pulled and was not in a good mood!  He was released after 4 days of captivity during which he refused to eat.  He's back with his friends and colony, sheltering in our garage.  I have seen him 3 times but not been quick enough to get a photo.  He is chowing down on his beloved dry food, tho with a pronounced effort to chew on his right side, has clearly gained some weight back (but still looks so little and thin without his fat fur) and actually trotted briskly from the feeder back to his shelter in the garage. Wow.  He's very much on the mend.  He still looks absolutely silly.He, and I, am grateful to everyone who cared about helping him!  Now I am rooting for his fur to grow back quickly!

 
Update On Ghost April 3, 2008
 
Ghost, the feral kitty with the injured mouth, came back from the vet with his fur shaved and all his teeth pulled and was not in a good mood!  He was released after 4 days of captivity during which he refused to eat.  He's back with his friends and colony, sheltering in our garage.  I have seen him 3 times but not been quick enough to get a photo.  He is chowing down on his beloved dry food, tho with a pronounced effort to chew on his right side, has clearly gained some weight back (but still looks so little and thin without his fat fur) and actually trotted briskly from the feeder back to his shelter in the garage. Wow.  He's very much on the mend.  He still looks absolutely silly. He, and I, am grateful to everyone who cared about helping him!  Now I am rooting for his fur to grow back quickly!
 
Update On Ghost April 7, 2008
 
Again, thank you ALL for caring and esp those of you who helped!  He's still skinny but he doesn't drool any more and his fur is coming back...baby fuzz all over.  Cute in a grotesque sort of way LOL
He apparently has hearing loss.  Yesterday I approached him 3 times when he wasn't looking at me and he never noticed me til I touched him. (Then he jumped a foot in the air, swapped ends and snarled at me).
Bonita

 
 
May 2, 2008 Update On Ghost
 
Ghost is tired of  having his photo taken, so I haven't been able to get new pix yet. but I see him every day, he eats dry food with no problem (which is what he always preferred).  He's definitely gaining some weight.  He has a cute little fuzz coat now, which still doesn't hide his awkward body but it looks very soft and touchable. No chance he'll ever let me do that!  He's definitely enjoying life now and moving easily.  He IS FIV+ so I will always have to keep a close eye on him but thanks to everyone who cared and helped, our sneaky little buddy is doing very well.  I'll keep trying for photos.  I always say hello and talk to him when he's around.  Sometimes he stops and listens for a bit. Sometimes he slips away like a gray shadow, vanishing instantly. (hence his name).  I hope he has more good years to enjoy growing a full coat again and maybe finding a buddy to hang with.  With the recent very hot weather, he may even be grateful to be less furry right now! 
I can't thank every one enough.
 

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