Cat Spent Years On NYC Streets, Yet One Long Process Finally Allowed Him To Rest
A street cat named Big Boi spent years living in a colony after his caretaker passed away. When he started losing weight, rescuers stepped in.
A Solitary Life
Big Boi wasn’t like the other cats in his colony.
While many of the felines formed close bonds and social circles, Big Boi remained a loner.
He had originally been cared for by an unhoused gentleman named Jose. When Jose passed away, Big Boi was left to navigate life on his own.
Volunteers stepped in to help care for the colony, which consisted of about 30 cats in total.
Signs Of Decline
Over time, the volunteers noticed a change in Big Boi.
He was no longer the robust cat he once was. He had developed numerous wounds, scabs, and ear mites.
His years on the streets were taking a toll. He was losing weight, likely due to bad teeth that made eating difficult.
Concerned for his well-being, a couple of volunteers decided it was time to intervene and see what was going on with him.
The Elusive Catch
Catching Big Boi proved to be a significant challenge.
He was incredibly smart and managed to avoid the traps set for him.
For four to five months, the volunteers tried everything they could to safely capture him.
“I have never seen a cat avoid a trap more,” one rescuer noted.
A Breakthrough
Finally, one day, the breakthrough came.
A volunteer called with the news: “I got Big Boi.”
It was a shocking and relieving moment for everyone involved in his care.
He was immediately taken to the vet for a much-needed examination.
Medical Attention
At the vet, Big Boi’s medical needs were addressed.
He had several teeth removed and his wounds were thoroughly cleaned.
With his immediate health concerns handled, the team faced a new decision.
They wanted to see if this long-time street cat could be socialized and live out his days indoors.
A Shocking Transition
Bringing Big Boi inside was a massive adjustment for him.
He was completely in shock, finding himself in an unfamiliar environment.
He hid in a corner, completely shut down and overwhelmed.
It took two to three days for him to decompress, reset, and slowly begin to come out of his shell.
Building Trust
The socialization process required immense patience.
For the first few days, Big Boi wouldn’t even eat if someone was watching him.
Slowly, he started to relax. After about a week, his rescuer was able to pet him while he ate in his crate.
The trust between them was building, day by day.
A Sense Of Relief
As Big Boi healed, his demeanor began to change.
His rescuer sensed a feeling of gratitude from him; he was no longer in pain from his bad teeth, and his wounds were healing.
They worked with him one-on-one every day, simply sitting with him and offering a comforting presence.
The next goal was to encourage him to explore his indoor space more freely.
Ready For Retirement
After nearly two months of dedicated socialization, Big Boi reached a turning point.
He was showing signs of happiness and comfort in his new indoor life.
When he slept, he was completely relaxed, a stark contrast to the constant vigilance required on the streets.
He finally knew that he was safe, and that nothing bad was going to happen to him anymore.
