BS: Another cat wants to move in with us!

Subject: RE: BS: Another cat wants to move in with us!
From: GUEST,999
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 09:46 PM

"Another cat wants to move in with us!"

Do you have a wok?

Subject: RE: BS: Another cat wants to move in with us!
From: Ebbie
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 10:58 PM

If 'European Wildcats' are the same as wildcats we have in the US, they are not domesticated. However, although I haven't heard of a Bobcat being tamed, I do know of a lynx that lived a long life in the bosom of a veterinarian's family.

Subject: RE: BS: Another cat wants to move in with us!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 05:08 AM

European wildcats are larger than "domestic" cats, but smaller than bobcats - sort of like an ocelot or civet - or think of a Maine Coon with attitude on a bad fur day. They tend to be stocky and tabby coated. Even when born in captivity or bred with "domestic" cats (not a particularly good idea but it happens) they retain a wild and uncontrollable streak a mile wide. There have been cases of abandoned wildcat kits being nursed and cared for by "domestic" cats, but they've never been as friendly or maleable as their litter mates.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Another cat wants to move in with us!
From: Shanghaiceltic
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 05:41 PM

You can have feral cats anywhere and they are not related to wildcats.

When Chatham Dockyard was a working Naval dockyard it had a huge population of feral cats that lived under the gratings where the steam pipes ran through. They had the best of food as they rummaged in the skips provided for waste food, RN ships were not allowed to ditch waste in the water as it was non tidal.

Woe betide any drunken sailor who tried to pet one, a visit to the sick-bay was usually the consequence.

Subject: RE: BS: Another cat wants to move in with us!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 04:16 AM

True, wildcats are a different sub species to feral cats. There are many cities that have huge populations of feral cats, Rome especially...

My aunt feeds a band of feral cats down in Dorset. Each cat lives wild in the village, but they are all micro-chipped with her details, they get regular vetinary inspections, neutered or spayed where necessary and fed in the winter. As the village is mostly agricultural, they do a fine job of keeping the rodent population down. There are barns and stables where they can shelter, lots of visitors to suck up to and ponies and horses to snuggle up to.

Woe betide anyone who tries to take one home though - they do not like being indoors!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Another cat wants to move in with us!
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 06:38 PM

Good for your aunt, LtS!

Ebbie, I had a tamed bobcat jump up into my arms one time! He was found as a waif out near a drilling rig in WY and one of the fellahs rescued him and raised him up with his german shepherd/alsatian. I went to their office to call on someone else, saw the cat coming towards me. Opened my arms, called to it, with the guy next to me telling me what to do, that it was tame. It was LONG! I am 5'2", but with heels that day, I was probably closer to 5'4". He draped his forearms and paws over my shoulders, gave me kisses in my ear, while I wrapped my armsa round his middle and his hind feet sort of dangled against my knees with his tail almost reaching the floor, tickling my legs. It was magnificent. He used a litter box when in town and the dog was his best friend. He could jump to the top of the office door and knock off a toy, from a sitting position, right next to the door. I'll never forget what a thrill/joy it was to be in such close contact.