We first caught a glimpse of this handsome boy slinking around our house a few months ago. Initially skittish, he finally succumbed to some sweet talk, and soon thereafter began to spend more and more time hanging out on our back porch. Once we relented and offered meals, he hardly ever left the crate and blanket set up for him on the step adjacent to a pair of glass doors, where he could peer into the house and observe indoor activity.
Working with him a few minutes every day, little by little, he has settled down and become more trusting and comfortable being petted, talked to, and picked up briefly. Dissatisfied with referring to him only as ‘stray boy’, I called him Nizhóni, which is a Diné (Navajo) word for ‘he is pretty,’ because, well, he is. As the weather grew colder, a pet heating pad was added to his fleece blanket.
He has gained weight and has a thick winter coat. He was neutered and vaccinated earlier this month, and a warm place was set up for him in our garage so that he could recover away from the cold, wet weather for a few days. He didn’t mind this, seemed perfectly content, and used the litterbox with no problem. Per my veterinarian, his approximate age is 2-3 years.
Nizhóni is robust, attentive, playful, and full of personality. He loves to eat, keeps himself tidy, and makes good eye contact. His vocalizations are soft and subtle, not Siamese-like but more like a regular kitty. As attached as we have become to him, I have two elderly kitties with medical issues of my own and cannot take on a third at this time. Our interactions with him have all taken place outdoors, so much is unknown about his behavior indoors, around other cats or people, etc.
In summary, this is a recently neutered boy kitty who has lived his life out-of-doors, has developed boundaries needed for survival, and who now needs to adapt to an indoor home with a kind, seasoned cat person who has the patience, intuition, and flexibility to get to know and accommodate him accordingly. He would probably love access to a secure catio!
Speaking as a retired animal health technician, I feel that he will appreciate having a quiet, safe, stable, temperature-controlled environment, and that based on the short-term relationship that he and I have developed over these last few months, I feel confident that such a person will be able to win his trust and form a bond of companionship. Nizhoni will thrive in the right home and we are asking $150 adoption fee which will be donated. This young beauty does has not lived with dogs, cats or young children. An older, patient home is required.
This cat is offered for adoption due to the owner's personal circumstances. For more information on meeting and adopting this kitty, please fill out a pre-adoption application under "ADOPT" on our website at WWW.CATSCRADLERESCUE.COM. Your information will be forwarded to the owner for follow-ups and meeting arrangement.
Cat's Cradle is an all-volunteer, non-profit foster-home based rescue serving Oregon cats who need new homes. 100% of your adoption fee goes to provide for the medical and physical needs of the cats in our care. We invite you to become a foster parent and experience the great satisfaction of helping a cat or kitten in need.
Visit this organization's web site to see any additional information available about this pet.
January 1, 2025, 2:24 pm
