FEED A CAT FOR CHRISTMAS! DECEMBER 19TH!! LYNNE S.!

LYNNE!  SAWYERS MOM!!!  Thank you for helping to feed many kitties for Christmas! 

Sawyer was a scruffy, dirty old unneutered male when I rescued from the very cold, I believe on Pennsylvania Avenue at least ...  four years ago Lynne?  Thats when Lynne opened her heart and home for this boy.  Thank you Lynne!

I just found the post from February, 2015!   I share that with you now.... 

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2015

UGGGG.

Wolves - 1/31/15 - Penfield - taken in the back yard of a friend's house

Yes, it was a tough morning for me out there.  But not as tough as it is for the cats that stand only three to five (?) inches from the ground.  Its so hard for their little legs to get through the six inches of snow, at least, that we had overnight.  Not to mention the drifts that come up to my knees.  I did a lot of shoveling at each of my spots.  This storm kicked ass because it came from the northeast.  My shelters are blocked from the westerly storms not so much from the north and east.  So a lot of snow got in a few of the shelters, where thankfully a few of the kitties were huddled when I walked up to them.  This is what I would call blizzard conditions.  Wind gusts will reach up to at least 35 mph, and the driving is treacherous.  I have to drive to another location this morning a lot further than what I am used to, have to use the main freeways which, as we all know, are worst than driving on back roads.  There are a lot of dumb drivers out there, and you just can't help having to drive next to or behind one.

It was uneventful out there for me the past two mornings, except yesterday I had a reporter from the Democrat and Chronicle newspaper come over to interview me!  I was a hot mess, always nervous doing something where the world will see me, so she told me to get a glass of wine, and I obeyed her.  :)  She was a cute young reporter, graduated from RIT in photojournalism, and had just moved back to Rochester from Michigan, where she met her boyfriend, who has also moved to Rochester to be with her.  This girl is going places - the next Diane Sawyer!  I tried to get the points I wanted across to her, so that they are conveyed in the story, and hopefully the City of Rochester will pay more attention that their needs to be some kind of program set up to help these homeless cats out there.  We need to stop the population progression, so that there are less and less until it is totally eradicated.  I know some of you are smirking, but it could possibly be done some day.  Not totally, but it would be manageable.  Right now its totally out of control, when you have one person, me, feeding over a hundred cats a day, and trying to get them all neutered and spayed.  Its a project that needs community involvement, and I just don't know where we can start, but there has to be a beginning somehow.  The story will be ready in a few weeks, she wants to come out with me some morning to get some pictures.  If you go online and read the story that was yesterday's headlines, the unidentified girl who's body was dumped in a cornfield or something, years ago, and has now been identified, she did the video of that, and pictures, and the story was truly touching, enough for me to tear up.  That is the template of the interview of me that she will be using.  And I will be her first interview story!  I am honored!  Here is the link:  http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2015/01/30/andreatta-tammy-jo-alexander-hager-haywood/22593467/

SAWYER!

I rescued another cat yesterday morning, who hopefully will also make the paper!  I had no business rescuing  him when I didn't have a home lined up already, as I have my poor Jelly Bean, Elvis, and Gemma still needing homes, but this little guy walked up to me and looked into my eyes.  He said, please, take me home.  And I did, and he came willingly, there was no struggle.  I named him Sawyer, and he is a cuddle bug.  So now we have Sawyer, Elvis, Gemma, and Jelly Bean that all need homes - please consider. 

Have a great day!

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. " 

SAWYER Then

SAWYER Now

That was a great rescue, indeed.

I keep forgetting to mention, when I pulled up to the shelter behind the house on the corner of Ferndale and Webster on Tuesday morning, I nearly fainted.  These two huge and heavy shelters, gone.  This is where I've rescued so many kittens, and finally had the mom TNR'd, and have fed so many - and have dealt with Mary Leigh for so many years - and it was gone.   The shelter was gone. I got out, with heavy heart, and walked over to the spot, in the dark, to place a dish of food and water at least, and thank God I looked over to the other side of the fence on a privately owned lot, because there it was.  I went around the house, and into the lot, and who ever moved it, had a very compassionate heart.   And it couldn't have been just one person, no way.  Those were extremely heavy.  The shelters were rebuilt to resemble Fort Knox.  They screwed the tarp right into the shelter, bolted down the sides with heavy stones, it was unbelieveable how whoever did this took the time to rebuild it on the other side of the fence!

I know this is a HUD house, and I got wind of the fact that they wanted it moved so they could sell the property or do something with it, and I had left a note begging to wait until springtime as this was the only shelter from the winter these cats had.   But a month or two went by and I figured they were good with it.  I didn't see any cats that first morning, but when I went to check on the food to see if eaten the second morning, yesterday, thank God I saw momma cat go in.  I felt a whole lot better.  So whoever that angel, or angels were, thank you so much.  The problem will be when the homeowner next door has her property maintained in the spring, the shelter will be removed.  Its the oddest thing.  The house on the other side of the lot, on Webster, has been vacant for I don't know how many years.  but she - I found out the owners name - has had the lot next door maintained every year.  I had problems many years ago with the guy next to that house who continually destroyed my shelters on that lot, where the police were involved.  Lets hope this lasts for the winter, at least.

Here are pictures of the recent adoption of Spencer, the kitten.  He's loved beyond measure, he and his brother Bogie, who they adopted two years ago (formerly Dasher).

That's all I have. 

Have a great day!

"The three little kittens, they lost their mittens,"

BY MOTHER GOOSE

The three little kittens, they lost their mittens,

And they began to cry,

"Oh, mother dear, we sadly fear,

That we have lost our mittens."

"What!   Lost your mittens, you naughty kittens!

Then you shall have no pie."

"Meow, meow, meow."

"Then you shall have no pie."

The three little kittens, they found their mittens,

And they began to cry,

"Oh, mother dear, see here, see here,

For we have found our mittens."

"Put on your mittens, you silly kittens,

And you shall have some pie."

"Purr, purr, purr,

Oh, let us have some pie."

The three little kittens put on their mittens,

And soon ate up the pie,

"Oh, mother dear, we greatly fear,

That we have soiled our mittens."

"What, soiled your mittens, you naughty kittens!"

Then they began to sigh,

"Meow, meow, meow,"

Then they began to sigh.

The three little kittens, they washed their mittens,

And hung them out to dry,

"Oh, mother dear, do you not hear,

That we have washed our mittens?"

"What, washed your mittens, then you're good kittens,

But I smell a rat close by."

"Meow, meow, meow,

We smell a rat close by."

FEED A CAT FOR CHRISTMAS! DECEMBER 18TH! HANNAH A!

HANNAH!  THANK YOU SO MUCH!  Thank you for helping me feed over 100 cats today.  It was a ccccccold one out there, but quite mild for this time of year.  So far so good on the shelters.  Some are placed at vacant houses where the property maintenance people have not been by in a while to check on them, and to throw out the shelters for these cats.  Thanks to many who have made shelters, and left Styrofoam boxes, and dropped off at my house.  They are perfect for these poor animals that have nothing else. 

I am on a neighborhood website where someone was looking for Styrofoam boxes – the small ones – which I can’t use – so I offered her the small one I had, and also gave her one of the very large ones that someone else had dropped off for me.  Its good to see that others are putting out shelters for the strays in our city.  I just got a request for four more shelters, to help out a friend, and Kristin, who is helping her! 

There are now three more cats out there that I want to snatch up – one is a small, demure white and black kitty – female – not sure if fixed – certainly not ear-tipped, but very sweet, and very hungry, and seems to be homeless on Melville.  The other one is on Central, where Buddy recently came from – another white with black.  This is the one that had a collar on it when I first spotted and began to feed him.  That was early 2018.  I had him neutered, and had to return him, and am thankful he stuck around this shelter. He runs for the truck each morning when he hears me coming.  The third is back on Short Street, where Shorty was just rescued.  This one is also grey, with a touch of white.  He needs neutering first, and might be my next, although the Melville kitty sure seems needy – so it might be her.

Here are some pics (be sure to click on them to view up close!)  that I’ve received from some of my recent adopters.  Take a look.  I am so thankful for these adopters.  Without them, these pictures wouldn’t be possible!

BRODY and BEANIE

BRODY and BEANIE
(It just doesn't get any cuter than this)

JESSE!  (and big sister Lulu)

KC Before

KC Now!
(My you have grown!)

Mr. Bingsley!

Have a nice day!

[little tree]

BY E. E. CUMMINGS

little tree 

little silent Christmas tree 

you are so little 

you are more like a flower 

who found you in the green forest 

and were you very sorry to come away? 

see          i will comfort you 

because you smell so sweetly 

i will kiss your cool bark 

and hug you safe and tight 

just as your mother would, 

only don't be afraid 

look          the spangles 

that sleep all the year in a dark box 

dreaming of being taken out and allowed to shine, 

the balls the chains red and gold the fluffy threads, 

put up your little arms 

and i'll give them all to you to hold 

every finger shall have its ring 

and there won't be a single place dark or unhappy 

then when you're quite dressed 

you'll stand in the window for everyone to see 

and how they'll stare! 

oh but you'll be very proud 

and my little sister and i will take hands 

and looking up at our beautiful tree 

we'll dance and sing 

"Noel Noel" 

FEED A CAT FOR CHRISTMAS! DECEMBER 17TH! DEBBIE S.!!!

Hey Folks, I think I am behind here.  Sorry, isn't today the 18th?

DEBBIE S!!!  What can I say about Debbie?  She is just pure sweet.  I met her through a friend also in rescue and ever since, Debbie has supported me in whatever way she can.  She also makes great raffle baskets for fundraisers!  Thank you Debbie, I can't wait to come crash your house in Florida!  :)

Let me reiterate, when you donate to this fundraiser, via the DONATE button on this blog, or on my website, you are actually helping to feed over 100 cats in the Beechwood section of Rochester, or I call it the Public Market area.  There are thousands of cats in this area, and I try to get them all.  Outside of the 100 cat count, there are dozens of ferals that swing by after I leave.  I can count 100 because they are the semi - feral.  Some won't let me touch them but get somewhat close - some will come up and just stand there for a head pat and chin scratch.  Those are the ones on my list:  my rescue list.  So far..  I can't wait for the count from Kristin.... but I believe its over 60 this year.  Last year it was over 100 because of all the kittens!  Yup, I just scoop them up, TRY TO place gently into a carrier, get the to the vet, get them home to get used to the indoors, and get them adopted!

There are some still waiting for that final phase in their lives.  They are:

Sabrina

Katie

Parsley

Hermie

Jule

Holly

Bunny

Noel

Lets find them a home for Christmas!

The cat’s song

BY MARGE PIERCY

Mine, says the cat, putting out his paw of darkness.

My lover, my friend, my slave, my toy, says

the cat making on your chest his gesture of drawing

milk from his mother’s forgotten breasts.

Let us walk in the woods, says the cat.

I’ll teach you to read the tabloid of scents,

to fade into shadow, wait like a trap, to hunt.

Now I lay this plump warm mouse on your mat.

You feed me, I try to feed you, we are friends,

says the cat, although I am more equal than you.

Can you leap twenty times the height of your body?

Can you run up and down trees? Jump between roofs?

Let us rub our bodies together and talk of touch.

My emotions are pure as salt crystals and as hard.

My lusts glow like my eyes. I sing to you in the mornings

walking round and round your bed and into your face.

Come I will teach you to dance as naturally

as falling asleep and waking and stretching long, long.

I speak greed with my paws and fear with my whiskers.

Envy lashes my tail. Love speaks me entire, a word

of fur. I will teach you to be still as an egg

and to slip like the ghost of wind through the grass.

FEED A CAT FOR CHRISTMAS! DECEMBER 15TH! CAROL O!!!

CAROL O!  CAROL adopted four cats from me!!!  She is for sure a crazy cat lady!  :) Carol even see this post because she has told me time and again that she can't read this blog because its too sad for her.  Well, I am glad she did at least four times, because she and her husband Mike are now the proud parents of FOUR cats I rescued from the streets.

GRETA

ABBY

MURPHY

ALICE

Here is what Carol wrote once for the blog.

I’ll confess – there are times when, for any number of reasons I find it hard to read Janine’s blog.  When I met her several years ago I was very content with one cat and one dog.  Today, I have four cats.  Yes, that is one reason I find it hard to read Janine’s blog.  How in the world can you say ‘no’ to those precious kitties?  Like Lay’s potato chips, you can’t have just one

Sam, my sweet boy who I had when I met Janine left us at the ripe old age of 19.  It’s always hard to let go, but he had a good long life and it was his choice to go.  He would be happy we have opened our home to his cousins.

Today, we have Abby, Greta, Alice and Murphy.  Each came to us through the caring hands of Janine Wagner.  If they could talk they would tell you that life on the streets is no life at all; they lived in constant fear and never knew when (or if) their next meal would come.  They would let you know that all they ever wanted was for someone to love them.

Since I can talk (boy can I talk), I will say ‘Thank You’ to Janine Wagner on their behalf.  And, ‘Thank You,’ to the many people who help and support her.  Abby, Greta, Alice and Murphy have brought more joy into our home than words can possibly describe. 

To show our gratitude, my husband and I make a monthly donation of food or contribute to Rochester Community Animal Services in Janine’s name.  Please join us with your support of Janine and her efforts to rescue Rochester’s stray cats, one at a time.  

Thank you Carol.  You and Mikey are always in my heart.

So, lets talk about today.    As we went to feed on the porch of a vacant house on Central, not one of my regular stops, but I've been feeding because I've seen a few black cats there, so at the top of the steps lay a black cat, and it had obviously been dead for several hours. I wrapped his body up in a blanket, and proceeded to finish up rounds and then go back for him where I could lay him somewhere more humane than a bush on the side of the road.  Onto the next two, but just before I crossed Bay Street to Syd and Johnny's - where I have a shelter on the side of the building - I noticed something in the road to my right.  I drove to it, and realized it was another dead cat, splattered all over the road.  I got out, grabbed a blanket, wrapped that baby the best I could, and set him on the curb.  Knowing I would come back for him too after I finished up my rounds.  Off to the next round, and after that are the median cats on Central. Across from the Pentecostal Church where the 'DEACON' told me - and the cats - to stay off their property.  As I stood there with a very hungry black kitty waiting for its food, a police car, with its siren blaring at full strength, went zipping past my illegally pulled over truck (I was practically in the middle of the road - I get out and lay food down quickly and then get back in the truck - no one is ever around), and then came another, and another, and another, and another, and another, and another, and another, and another - wait -yes, that was 10 police cars with their sirens blaring and going 80 miles an hour past me.  I just stood there, spellbound.  I watched down to Goodman and they hung a right.  I then had to go scoop up the bodies waiting for me - their little souls already with God.   I still can't understand the mindset of someone hitting an animal and keep on going.  Poor baby died instantly.  I am not quite sure what happened to the little porch kitty.  Little angels.

Boy would I like to know what happened with the police. never have I seen something like that before.

Thumper went to his new home on Sunday - his adopters are two of the sweetest people.  Parents to a girl that adopted two kitties from me - Tucker and Buster - this past spring.  Thumper is still quite shy, so we will see how he does in the coming weeks.

There is SO much more, but I must get to work!  What a weekend!

FEED A CAT FOR CHRISTMAS!~ DECEMBER 14TH! LINDA Z!

Linda Z!  Thank you so much for your gift to help Feed a Cat for Christmas!  Linda makes this gift in memory of her beloved cat, Buttercup.  Linda writes: "we had to put Buttercup to sleep this past September.  We had gotten her and her sister Lily when they were kittens, from Lollypop Farm.  Lily passed away 2 years before Buttercup.  Buttercup was diagnosed as hyperthyroid and I had to medicate her for over 2 years.  She was a feisty cat, but I think that's why she lived as long as she did.  We have 2 new kitties now, but no one can take the place of Buttercup and Lily!"  Thank you SO much Linda Z! 

As an update, Julie Z., who fed a few cats with her donation this week, sent me some updated pictures of Maizy and Murphy.  Its wonderful to see a cats growth when you start with them as kittens, adopt them out, and then see them years later.  Such beautiful, regal creatures!  Thanks Julie!  I still can’t find their baby pictures.  I have so many files on my computer and disks that its ridiculous.  But boy are they gorgeous adults! And Julie kept the names I gave them!  :) 

MAIZY!!

MAIZY and MURPHY

MURPHY!

It was another quiet morning out there.  We are having a mild winter so far.  Knock knock knock on wood.   I’ll bet if I look back at one year ago today, it would be a different story weather wise.

Just as I figured - 9 degrees!  Here is where we were on December 14th of last year...

DEC 14th! PAMELA P! Feed a Cat for Christmas!

PAMELA!  My Angel.  Thank you so much for helping me to feed a cat for Christmas!  Many as a matter of fact!  Pamela has been a strong force in the animal community, helping where she can. Thanks Pamela, for all you do to help the helpless!  

I have to say, 9 degrees is brutal.  As I drove down city streets this morning, my eyes darting from one side to the other, I thought about, and prayed, that all homeless creatures, even a mouse, had a warm nook to take refuge in.  My first encounter with a desperate cat was on Melville.  Melville #3 spot.  Where I had a hard time keeping shelters – someone finally gave in and allowed me to place some in the back of the lot there.  This grey striped boy is a former TNR.  I had to release him after having him neutered this summer.  I say I HAD to because there was no one around to take him in at the time.  He is a nice kitty, and I felt terrible releasing him, but it was summer, he could get along.  Well, every morning, he runs to my car, and this morning, he was sort of tip toeing, dancing around, and I wondered if he had frostbite on his little delicate pads.  He took turns following me, and then darting in front of me (and nearly tripping me!), down the path to the back of the lot, crying, hungry, waiting for me to place his precious wet food.  I placed a warm blanket on the inside of the shelter, hoping it would warm his little feet up a bit while he stood there eating.

I can’t tell you the heartache I feel as I am driving to each of my 18 or so locations, but all I can do is pour, say a few words, and try to forget as I drive away.  There are at least five more shelters I will encounter after this one, with cats that could easily be taken in off the street and be the most wonderful companions for a lucky person.  But no one wants the adults.  Everyone wants a cute cuddly kitten!  Given a loving environment, a grown cat forms bonds that are just as profound as a kitten's.

I want to thank, in particular, Todd, Bob and Stan, Lou, and Jim, for their carpentry abilities, in building me these lifesaving shelters that are placed right now.  It was heartwarming to see two kitties come out of one of them at the Central and Second location this morning, and I know there are others nestled inside for the night before I pull up at 4 am!  There are also other fabulous shelter makers, in particular, Sheryl, who has been slaving away for nearly four years putting them together whenever I get an extra plastic tote, or Styrofoam box thrown my way.  I throw them her way and she creates some wonderful little homes, some even cut out with cat faces for entrances, for these homeless babes.  I thank you all for helping to house the homeless.

I can't help posting pictures of kitties I've rescued and where they are now.  Sawyer is one beautiful cat, wouldn't you say?  I received the following from his 'Aunt Kim (who BTW adopted three kitties from me!)

 "Visiting Mom and this handsome gentleman this morning.... he was “helping” her sort through old sheets and towels and he climbed right into the garbage bag." 

 💙

SAWYER today!

And another.  Do you all remember Lulu?  She was once a kitten found in a shelter on Garson Avenue in a pile of straw with her siblings.  Today, she is a loved kitty in a warm and loving home.  This was a Christmas card I received and share it with you!  So sweet!  Be sure to click on the pic so you can see up close!

LULU!

That's it in a nutshell for today.  More tomorrow.  And no, ML did not come back and rip off the tarp to the shelters.  ONE MORE CHANCE! (Crazy MariLee)

UPDATE:

One last update:  I got a note from Timber's dad the other day.  He was so excited!  Here is what he wrote:  "Timber meowed for the first time!  It was like a quick really low toned meow, kinda like if Kermit the Frog tried to meow. I wish had it on video.  At first I didn't think it was him but when I looked down and didn't see Mindy I freaked out.  I hugged him and gave him kisses but he didn't do it again as of yet.  Thought you would find that funny its taken this long!"

I wrote back that I totally get it!  I've had cats where I've NEVER heard them cry!  You always wonder what their 'voice' would sound like, right???  😸

Have a great day!

“When life places a

Wall in our path we

Have two choices…

We can beat our head

Against it, or we can

Figure out a way to

Get around it.”

FEED A CAT FOR CHRISTMAS! DECEMBER 13TH! ROSEMARIE E!

Thank you ROSEMARIE for your kind and generous donation!  Rosemarie was kind enough to want to help feed the cats on Rochester's city streets, for a day.  That is what it costs me to feed these cats each day.  I can count 100 after I finish all of my 20 stops, but I know there are more lurking in the shadows, hungry ... even starving.  And boy I have witnessed starving cats.  They eat like there is no tomorrow, or what ever that saying means.  They would chew through your hand if you aren't quick enough.  Poor babies.  I do my best.  What is the USPS motto?

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds. 

Thank you again Rosemarie!

Yes, that's me!  And boy have I been lucky with the snow so far.  I drag my foot across a small patch of ground to clear the quarter inch of snow we had last night, so that the cats that are NOT eating at my shelter locations aren't standing in the snow.

Nothing out of the ordinary this morning.  All kitties were out and waiting for their breakfast between 3:45 and 5:15.

I did try to trap on Parsells though.  A kind family that allows me to shelter behind their house has asked me to set a trap to try to get a grey girl who looks pregnant.  This is the same location I  have rescued many, and TNR'd many.  I remember this grey cat, and she just won't go in the trap.  I've tried for years.  And she apparently keeps having babies, although I have not seen her, or her babies.  But this family claims they have, so I am going to lend them a trap to see if they can try for her on an afternoon during the weekday - and I will do my best to get the cat in somewhere.  But I swear, the cats there just know its a TRAP!  And they stay far far away!

Holly goes in for her spay next Tuesday, and will be all ready for her eventual forever home!  I have a family coming to meet Griff and the furry kitties - Bunny, Thumper and Noel this weekend.  If it is not a match for Griff, he will go to foster at Max's house, who finally has heat, and the furry kitties will go back to Melissa for more socializing.  Chance is with foster Mom Sheryl, Shorty is with foster Mom Janessa, and lets not forget our Katie, Parsley and Hermie all awaiting forever homes with foster Mom Carol!

Have a great day!

"Sometimes you win.

Sometimes you learn.

You never lose."

FEED A CAT FOR CHRISTMAS!!! DECEMBER 12TH! JOEL S!

JOEL!  

Joel has been a steadfast supporter of my mission by building shelters, donating items such as headlamps and batteries, bringing me my precious boards I need to help keep Mother Nature out of shelters and keep food dry, going along on my routes in the mornings when asked, moving heavy shelters from here to there, and even writing stories about the cats I feed!  Joel has been a blessing to me, and I greatly appreciate him.  Thanks for helping me feed the cats Joel!

Today was just another day, except I had to bring a broom and dust pan because at one of my locations on Melville, someone must have tried to break in to the house and broke the glass, which shattered the glass into tiny little pieces, like a windshield would break.  There are several cats that depend on this location, and they could easily step on the glass – so I had to tried  to clean it all up before I poured their food this morning, but there is still a ton more, so I will be cleaning up again tomorrow.  What is wrong with people?  Can’t they see that this is where cats reside?? 

Today, I am posting a topic on cat aggression toward humans.  I rescued a cat I named Jules from Parsells Avenue.  This was either the end of last year or earlier this year.  I rescued him (thought he was a girl and named it Julie first) because he was not looking well.  He had some kind of oil on him, and was very dirty.  He looked like he was losing weight, I knew something was wrong and the weather was frightful so I scooped him up.  Long story short, he is all better from whatever he had going on, but has turned out to be a real brat that can’t get along with others.  He has attacked my cats, and myself.  He went after my very old Mary Jane, and after that, I knew he had to be locked up.  So, he has been alone in a bedroom for a very long time now, and has not changed much.  Occasionally, he will show signs of agitation when I go in and you never know if he will bite you on the leg.  I try to entertain him, place a gate up for him to see out, but that’s as far as I can go with him.  He is not adoptable at this point.  But I did find this interesting article and will share with you now.

Re-Directed Aggression Towards Humans

Consider the following scenario…

Fluffy is sitting by the window as usual. You pass by and gently stroke her back. Suddenly your affectionate and gentle pet has her teeth in your arm.

What just happened? Has Fluffy gone mad?

The phenomena of redirected aggression can be puzzling and frightening to cat lovers. It occurs when a cat is highly aroused and in an aggressive state (for instance, by the sight of an outside cat, by just having been in a fight, or by a loud, disturbing noise), and the cat attacks a person or another animal within reach. Generally, cats do not redirect aggression unless they are touched or closely approached by another animal or person.

If a cat is in an aggressive state or mood, it can be very dangerous for the owner to approach the cat, or try to pick them  up. The owner should wait until the cat has changed its mood (calms down) before interacting with them. The state of arousal can last two hours or more, but in most cases is over within thirty minutes. After the cat has engaged in another behavior, such as grooming, playing, or eating, it is usually safe to approach the cat, their normal behavior has returned.

To treat this type of aggression, the arousing stimulus (or trigger) must be identified so that it can be eliminated. For example, if the cat is upset by looking at other cats through the window, the outside cats should be kept from passing near the window or the resident cat’s view should be obstructed by pulling a shade or keeping the cat out of the room with the windows. If the triggering stimulus cannot be removed, then the cat should be systematically desensitized to it, slowly have your cat exposed to the trigger only for very short periods of time.  In the case of a disturbing noise, it should be repeated at regular intervals at very low levels until the cat is used to it and then the volume gradually increased, always keeping it below the cat’s stress threshold.

If the pet parent is the victim of redirected aggression, it is important that you not retaliate so strongly that the attacking cat develops a fear of you and becomes defensively aggressive toward them, thereby creating another, more difficult problem to solve. Keep in mind that it is the cat’s predatory nature that enables it to concentrate so single-mindedly on a particular object, sound (or animal) of fear. This all-consuming focus of the cat’s attention is not easily transformed into a recognition of the touch of an old friend–so don’t take it personally!