Over the summer, a flood of very scared cats washed up on the Tabby’s Place doorstep. As you’ve read, this was the result of a well-coordinated rescue of two sizable colonies.
Never believing in “less” (there is always hope!) and always striving for more, the outlook is bright for the newcomers.
Although their future is so bright we gotta wear shades, there are significant hurdles to overcome. These include providing medical care and socialization for all of the new residents, even those that resist the attentions of the medical team and those who hide from staff and volunteers alike.
Nevertheless, our team is facing the greatest and least of challenges with dedication and determination. So, while a few of the recently rescued, like Salami and Bello, are singing with glee at their new situation, we hope others will learn that they are cherished without yet knowing the lyrics.
Unfortunately, it is a little difficult to teach the words to cats that won’t interact with people. But, hopes are rising since the tube-blockade has been unclogged. Our new arrivals initially believed they could hide from us forever in the tube connecting suite to solarium, but that petrified plan has been foiled.
Still, fear of humans remains a substantial blockade. Since humans are the deliverers of all things that Tabby’s Place cats require, it is imperative that we help change these scared individuals become less fearful. Ideally, through the process, they will gain an understanding of what it means to be held sacred and to be unconditionally loved.
Some of these sacred-scared newcomers are absolutely elemental! Cats with names like Chromium, Aluminum, and Cobalt remind us of the building blocks of our world. Those with names like Meridia and Vaermina remind us that intelligent, kind humans are the building blocks of Tabby’s Place. As such, when the call goes out to volunteers to spend time sharing space with under-socialized cats, the call is answered with trust, open hearts, and extreme patience.
My heart aches most sharply for Zinc. Frightening an already scared cat is never what any of us wants to do. But, we are all human, and lapses happen. Zinc does not yet know this. Zinc does not yet understand that she is cherished and sacred. Zinc is difficult to find amidst Hydrogen, Hircine, and Helium, who all bear the colors of the yin-yang symbol. Yet, in time, we will come to know each by particular pattern, quirks, and preferences.
Maybe by then they’ll respond to their names.
We’re not there yet.
Where we are is sitting on the floor of Suite A. Some of us sit with the lights out, creating a soothing, quiet, share space. Others sit with their phones out and do whatever they usually do on their phones while being present, nothing more and nothing less. Yet others of us talk to the cats in what we hope are soothing tones, telling them that they are loved, explaining where they have found themselves, trying to find eyes that might slow-blink back…someday. This is not a task for the brash and the reckless. This is not a challenge for the brave and the bold. This is a goal for the understanding and the gentle.
The primary aim is to help each cat from Aluminum to Zinc and every one in between to become comfortable in Suite A. It is their home now. We hope each cat will soon come to feel less frightened, will learn to trust people (It can and will happen!), and will eventually understand that “scared” is an anagram of “sacred.”
Once they recognize that, we hope they will remember that their ancient ancestors were treated as gods. We hope they will recognize that we adore them. Ways of showing appreciation may have changed from worship to caregiving and from offering sacrifices to offering a fine selection of fish mush. What has not changed is that cats are sacred, no matter how scared they may be. With enough time and with very many treats, “scared” will be forgotten. Eventually, “sacred” will be embraced. It won’t be too long before very many happy adoptions into forever homes will be tallied.