Here’s what we know about Jethro:  Jethro was living outside, possibly for his whole life. We had been seeing him for some months at our feeding station. He would come every night for a while, and sometimes just off and on. We had plans to trap him once we had room in our home, and finally that day came. Once inside, our hearts sank as we quickly realized he was feral. Like totally feral. A TNR (trap, neuter/spay, release) friend of mine helped me get him fixed, and they cut off the tip of his ear so that once released outside other people would know he had been neutered already, and is an outdoor cat. I held him for a while in a cat condo in a room while I tried to think of what to do with him, and one day out of nowhere Jethro started to purr and make biscuits when I came in the room. Then he did the plop on his side and showed his belly and I was in complete shock! Turns out he had been socialized somehow at some point, but just had a REAL big fear of new people. Finally I realized I was able to touch him, and WOW did he become affectionate! He was afraid of my hands a little at first, so I would stick my head in his cage and he would rub his head on my head. It was SO SWEET! He just melted from being this hard, scary cat into this extremely sweet love bug! He would make biscuits constantly, and rub all over me and anything near him, he was just so happy! And so was I!

 

Once I realized he was handleable, I began to see more if his body (which he usually hid from me) and I noticed that he had a bend in his tail. I do not know if his tail injury happened before or after he came into our home; he was VERY rowdy that first week. The vet said it is a fracture, and will always look like that, but it doesn't seem to bother him and he most likely won't have any issues from it. 

 

After he had all his vetting done, we let him out of his condo and into the room. He was very scared, and would run and hide any time we came into the room, but once we got close he would immediately start making biscuits and purring and rubbing all over us. We then let him meet our other cats because when he was in his condo he seemed very interested in them. I would say that he definitely likes other cats, but he doesn't seem to have great cat social skills. I wouldn't say that our cats hate him, but they don't seem to know what to make of him. He has a TON of nervous energy still, and wants to rub on them and play, but he just goes for it and they can't tell if they are being attacked or what. Each day, they are getting more used to him, and things are getting better. He is integrated out into the whole house now, and loves to lay near us and play. He still gets scared when we are walking around, but if we go slow we can approach him and get loved on. 

 

The #1 way to this boy's heart is food! He had a tapeworm when we first found him, which is resolved now, but made him eat like he was ravenous. He still seems to have that ravenous mentality and sort of loses his mind when food is happening. He LOVES treats, and once in a new home this will really be helpful in getting him to see that he has a new caretaker and is safe and loved. Feeling safe and loved is very important to him after being alone outside, fending for himself for months, and he will cherish anyone who gives this to him! Over time his anxiety will subside, as he gets used to feeling safe, and learns the common house noises and happenings. If Jethro is full grown, he is a small cat and he has the tiniest little cat nose! He is just bursting with love to give, especially to someone able to be patient and gentle with him while he continues to learn about the indoor-only cat life. If you are looking for an extra special boy, Jethro might be the cat for you!