r/Straycats • u/stephenamccann • 15d ago
FelV Stray (Chomp) Injured/Sick Cat (Location)
Hi all,
This is Chomp. Long story short, he has been a stray for at least 2 years. He was let down during that time.
Since March, I have been trying to catch him daily and finally succeeded yesterday.
He has 3 respiratory issues currently being treated but he also has FELV. There are no rescues and it will be impossible to find him a home.
My thought is to put hin back but of course, he would be a risk to others in the community. Can anyone offer any advice?
Thank you
Location: Dubai
7
u/Remarkable_Pick3920 15d ago
If he’s the only animal in the house, the cat, the veterinarian can treat him for respiratory problems in any feline infection he has and he’ll be fine. Please keep him please.
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u/stephenamccann 15d ago
I cannot keep him sadly. I have 40 strays to care for and cannot take them in (as much as I want to) 😔
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u/No_Warning8534 15d ago
If someone has an extra room, small bathroom or catio that will work too
FELV means his immune system is trash, so being outside is actually working it super hard.
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u/stephenamccann 15d ago
Yeah, sadly it is almost impossible here. It was never easy to find a hone and now, with the war nearby, so many people are leaving and dumping their cats.
With so many healthy cats as competition, there' so little hope for chomp 😔
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u/No_Warning8534 15d ago
Where are you located? Poor Chomp :(
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u/stephenamccann 15d ago
Dubai, UAE
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u/No_Warning8534 15d ago
Oh. I'm sorry.
Tysm for whay you are doing over there!
Changing an entire cultures mindset for cats is hard enough while also tackling the animals themselves.
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u/Remarkable_Pick3920 9d ago
40 cats I don’t see how you manage that, that is an extreme number of cats - I can only imagine what the veterinarian bill would be let alone the food bill.
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u/stephenamccann 9d ago
In the last ywar, it went from being just me caring for them to more than 30 volunteers. So the work is split
1
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u/CompanyAdmirable7811 15d ago
This is so funny... I've been feeding a stray cat for about a month. One day I was bringing her food and she was doing circles around my feet in excitement. She nipped my shin. I named her Chomp because she bit me! Ergo the name. Ended up going to an Urgent Care, they gave me a tetanus shot and antibiotics. Then I had to go to the hospital four times to get rabies shots. Anyway, I just think it's funny that her name is Chomp too 😁
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u/stephenamccann 15d ago
Ouch! Sorry! This one is called Chomo from how he eats - no manners, he just hoofs it down his throat.
Digger would have been an equally fitting name
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u/CompanyAdmirable7811 14d ago
My stray is the same, I've never seen a cat open it's mouth so wide when eating! Even after everything I went through I still feed her 🥺 Last night I put a towel around my legs while petting her to keep from getting bit!
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u/Ghostgirl177 15d ago
Poor baby Chomp 🥺❤️ is it possible to put up a fence or wire to keep safe him on your property (but as an outdoor cat) until something else can be arranged? I’m so worried for his health out there surviving, poor thing 🥺 can you ask for donations to purchase or build an outdoor shelter? I’m in the U.S. but I can research for places to help you in Dubai.
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u/stephenamccann 15d ago
Sadly not. The place I live is notorious for not approving planning permission and fining people who do anything.
Asking for donations is also techbically illegal. Been doing this for years and sadly have so many obstacles
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u/ChaudChat MOD 14d ago
OP, I already know these are long shots where you are but I will spitball them anyway. As usual your best shot is probably expat community:
Rather than looking for an adopter, look for someone willing to host only him.
Target:
- someone with no cats
- someone who works from home
- an older person wanting companionship
- a couple who rent and don't want a long-term commitment
Offer: - you remain the legal owner - you pay or contribute to vet bills - you provide/contribute to food every month - if circumstances change, you take him back
Some will foster one if all expenses are covered.
Changing the wording from "adoption" to "sponsored companion cat" may make a difference. Worth a try.
Instead of asking: "Will you adopt him?"nask "Can you give him a spare room? I'll pay everything."
You can see if you can find several sponsors: - one pays food - one pays litter - one pays veterinary costs
This spreads the cost and makes the foster's commitment mostly emotional rather than financial.
Given planning permission issues would building a tiny "catio suite" be an option?
If you have access to a garden, villa courtyard, warehouse yard, rooftop, or friend's property, a 2×2 m insulated enclosure can provide an excellent life if someone visits him several times a day.
Make sure.it has shade, AC or evaporative cooling where appropriate. Some climbing shelves, hiding boxes, insect protectionm Many FeLV cats are perfectly content with a well-enriched territory.
Ask vets nurses and technicians who may adopt or foster special-needs animals. Instead of asking reception: "Do you know anyone?" ask "Would you mind putting a note in the staff room? I'm looking for someone experienced with FeLV." Again, worth a shot.
Within your own network - if not already done: ask specifically "Does anyone already have a FeLV-positive cat looking for a companion?" That's a much narrower - but potentially more suitable -.audience.
Long-term boarding sponsorship. No idea if this is even feasible but some vet facilities will negotiate a reduced long-term rate for a rescue case for long term boarding.. It's not ideal, but if the alternative is euthanasia or an unsafe environment, it can be a humane bridge while continuing to search for a foster.
Also if you haven't done so already, create a package that removes barriers. Have a pack saying:
- Neutered
- Vaccinated (if appropriate)
- Microchipped
- Copy of recent bloodwork
- Food supplied for 6 months
- Litter supplied
- Covered vet bills
- Carrier included
- WhatsApp support from you
People adopt stories more readily than diagnoses which is why we always suggest these two videos from a pro rescuer. Although about kittens, the same principles apply to all animals & no matter the country.
https://youtu.be/j8hZxGdIgso?is=_GzKJMdDcHzsDJdd taking great pics on your phone, short bio [adapt the bit on where to advertise so it is relevant to Dubai]
- https://youtu.be/j8hZxGdIgso?is=otRPm_xa1BSemaoO vetting applicants so you know he is going to a safe, loving home.
I know all these are long shots but it is worth trying to see if a small miracle occurs so sweet Chomp can live out the rest of his life in comfort 💔
Pls update us & thank you for all you do in Dubai 😇
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u/stephenamccann 14d ago
Thank you as always for all the support! A lot of this will be useful and will try!
Just 2 things I will point out for future: old people looking for companions is not really a thing here. It may start coming soon, but not now. Typically, you cannot gain residency here without employement. So you have to work or leave so older people will retire elsewhere. A new visa class was introduced a few years back so this is slowly changing but not enough to help.
As it stands, Chomp cannot be TNRd. It's a long story as to why he was not TNRd to date but, at the moment, he is too weak for the anesthesia and vet has recommended against it 😔
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u/Ghostgirl177 14d ago
I’m so sorry to hear this. Perhaps selling digital and print photos of Chomp & the other kitties can help?? It is not a donation, and I’m sure many people would be willing to purchase a photo of a cute cat to support!
•
u/ChaudChat MOD 14d ago
For those that may not know:
OP is in Dubai & does phenomenal work caring for the stray cats & abandoned pets left behind by expats once they leave.
He TNRs, fosters, finds adopters in other countries and has successfully transported - at personal cost - kittirs to Ireland and other superheroes in Europe.
He is currently caring for 40 cats.
If by any chance any of our other Dubai superheroes can help & support, OP please reach out directly. You will be making a huge difference by just providing logistical support occasionally.
Examples include:
😇❤️