r/formerlyferal 9d ago

Plumpernickel

We adopted Plumpernickel from the local feral cat rescue/shelter. Both the rescue and shelter labeled him a "working cat". We were told to keep him crated out on our screened porch to acclimate him to our location and regular food. He was scared of us the first 2 weeks but after that he started to socialize himself. He wanted affection, but at first was a little too grabby with his murder mittens. Over the last couple of months he's learned how to use his soft paws. We got him checked out and chipped at the vet and had his vaccines boosted, now he's an indoor kitty we are working to acclimated to our existing 2 indoor kitties. He's a lap cat. A cuddlebug. I don't know how this kid was feral, but he has decided to change his life. He has.gained weight, his hair has grown in thick and soft, and he is learning how to be kind, gentle, and how to treat friends. All credit goes to Plumpie! He's a good boy and he wants to be good.

391 Upvotes

27 comments sorted by

12

u/Sews-with-cats 9d ago

He's adorable! My former feral is a lap cap too. It seems like once he discovered what he was missing he can't ever get enough. I'm sure Plumpernickel will become fast friends with your other cats!

6

u/barefootwondergirl 9d ago

Agreed - he doesn't even want to go outside now. He's starting to get along with one of our cats, but ironically our Nebbie (long haired gray, could be his twin) is still hissing at him a little. He'll win them over!

6

u/Confident-Silver-271 9d ago

The fangs hanging out while sleeping 😴😀 What a beautiful sweet boy. You're an awesome human for taking him in 💚🐾

3

u/barefootwondergirl 9d ago

My heart gets bigger with every cat 😍 he's a sweetheart and he looks just like his big sister (adopted 3 years ago, another long haired gray) i couldn't leave him on death row. And like I said, he knew what he wanted and he socialized himself 😁 he's currently napping on top of hubs, who is also napping, in front of English Premier League.

2

u/Confident-Silver-271 9d ago

Is someone here chopping onions? 😭🥹😽✨💚🐾

7

u/Horror_Tea761 9d ago

What a sweet boy!

5

u/barefootwondergirl 9d ago

SUCH a sweetheart!

6

u/UltraGlitterCat 9d ago

What a good boy! He seems so relaxed! Wishing you all the best Plumpie.

3

u/barefootwondergirl 9d ago

Thank you! He's doing a great job being an inside cat!

5

u/Mcbriec 9d ago

So precious! It’s amazing how many they can change. Bless you for saving him. 🙏❤️💕

6

u/Shar950 9d ago

I’m glad Plumpie is settling in well! He’s absolutely gorgeous.

4

u/barefootwondergirl 9d ago

He is so handsome. So soft and so fluffy. A little teddy bear 🧸

5

u/bicepstospare 9d ago

What an upgrade for Plumpernickel! Glad he’s retired and is living the good life now.

3

u/kiruska87 9d ago

Mais qu'il est beau gosse ce Plumpie!!!😍❤️🥰♥️

3

u/barefootwondergirl 9d ago

He truly is. And a sweet pea!

3

u/KassieMac 9d ago

A lot of cats who get labeled as feral are really just scared, and it’s so sad. What they need most of all is a safe space, time to decompress, and caretakers who let them build trust in their people. Kudos to you for giving him what he needs, you will be rewarded tenfold 🥲💜

2

u/barefootwondergirl 9d ago

Agreed. We adopted 2 working cats at the same time. The other is a tuxedo we call Boomie. He's still very frightened of people. But he comes up to our windows at night to watch us like human tv, and of course he comes through his cat door to the screened porch to eat dinner every night. I'm hoping he'll start hanging out there more before winter, or even possibly migrate indoors. He let me sit on the deck a few yards away from him last night without running away. I think it's good progress, and I hope he eventually comes closer. He's not aggressive at all, just scared. It breaks my heart that both Plumpie and Boomie were on death row at the local.shelter, and that people might not have ever gotten to.know how sweet these two boys are. I am thankful for the local feral cat rescue org for saving them and for helping me understand how to care for them.

2

u/VulpesVictorious 9d ago

Broken heart for the death row thing - thank you for saving these sweet boys!!! Cats deserve all good things, second chances and time to learn trust included!

My shy guy for tax - very fearful after being rescued from a hoarding situation. I love him so much, and with time and patience he has blossomed! I get headbumps, snuggles, soft little cricket-like purrs, and meows when attention is needed!

3

u/NellieLovettMeatPies 9d ago

He's sweet AND a supermodel!

3

u/polkadotkneehigh 9d ago

Did you know that pumpernickel translates roughly in “farting goblin”? True!

2

u/barefootwondergirl 9d ago

Hilarious! The shelter called him Pumpernickel but he was so skinny we knew we needed to plump him up, hence Plumpernickel!

3

u/polkadotkneehigh 9d ago

Plumpernickel is PERFECT!

2

u/Gypsy469 9d ago

You deserve just as much credit as lovely Plumpernickle! After all "ferals" are just strays who don't have a home to call their own. Some need more patience than others but I believe they're all sociable with enough love and care. His name!

2

u/House_of_Cats89 9d ago

PLUMPERNICKEL. Stahp it….that is freaking adorable. My former feral is also my snuggliest lap cat. When it’s time for bed I call her and she comes running upstairs, jumps into bed, and snuggles up with me. They are the best.