Winter in Brooklyn can be tough for community cats. The cold weather and limited food supply make survival difficult. But for many of these cats, life is a bit easier thanks to kind-hearted colony caretakers who provide food, water, and shelter.
These caretakers look after groups of cats, often managing Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs to keep the cat population healthy and stable.
Once the cats are spayed or neutered, they’re free from the stress of fighting over territory and can relax with their colony. Today’s story is about King George, a black cat with a big personality who became a legend in his colony.
King George got his name because of his bossy behavior – he demanded the attention of his caretaker and wouldn’t let her pet any other cats!
When he was first brought in as part of the TNR project, he wasn’t friendly at all and made it clear he wasn’t ready to trust humans. But over time, things began to change for this feisty feline.
A volunteer from Flatbush Cats, a nonprofit dedicated to helping community cats in Brooklyn, heard about King George and decided to visit the colony.
He wanted to see if King George might be ready for indoor life. Surprisingly, King George was friendly, even toward this stranger, suggesting he might be open to a fresh start.
The volunteer thought, if King George could show such warmth to a stranger, maybe he was ready for a home of his own.
But before taking that step, they needed to know if King George was healthy. Unfortunately, life on the streets had taken its toll on him. He had been in many fights, suffered scratches, and had a painful abscess on his face.
His veterinary exam revealed even more issues: King George had two fractured teeth cutting into his gums, causing drooling, and a buildup of tissue in his right ear that led to hearing loss on that side.
Most concerning of all, King George tested positive for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), likely from deep bite wounds sustained in street battles.
Many rescued cats recognize the indoor environment because they once had homes before ending up on the street. But King George had spent most of his life outdoors, so adjusting to indoor life was strange for him.
It took a few hours for him to relax, as he probably had never experienced a home before. Thankfully, he soon started feeling comfortable and allowed his caretaker to cuddle him like he’d always dreamed of.
Despite all these challenges, King George was ready to heal. He went to a foster volunteer who provided the love and care he needed while recovering from dental surgery.
From day one, King George showed his affectionate side, warming up to indoor life faster than expected. Even though he had spent most of his life outdoors, the comforts of a cozy, indoor space seemed to appeal to him.
He quickly grew to love being cuddled and soaked up the attention he’d always craved.
King George’s road to recovery had its challenges. He continued drooling, not only from his injured gums but also from a habit of chewing on soft fabrics.
This behavior suggested that King George might have been separated from his mother and litter at an early age, which is a tough start for any kitten.
It’s heartbreaking to think of the rough life he’s had so far, but there’s always time to make up for it. And it’s clear that King George and his caretaker aren’t wasting a moment!
Before long, King George was ready for a kingdom of his own. His new forever mom learned about his story and wanted nothing more than to give him the royal treatment he deserved.
Now, King George truly has a kingdom of his own, complete with soft beds, catnip, and plenty of space to roll around. His new mom showers him with love and makes sure he gets all the attention he could ever want.
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