Please welcome a new friend, Tigger.

Tigger was on the euthanasia list at a high kill shelter in New York. He has FeLV. Because of that, the only option he was given was death. Until a New York rescue stepped in. He was pulled from the shelter and placed in foster care, and we were able to find an amazing transporter who happened to be bringing cats back to Michigan! Tigger was able to hitch a ride, and today I finally got the opportunity to meet him. He has been through so many changes and must be so confused and terrified. Despite everything he’s been through, this boy has so much love to give. Tigger will be a long-term/forever resident with us. Welcome to the rest of your life, baby. It’s only getting better from here!

Tigger is not thrilled to be crated. He has spent so much of his time lately in carriers and crates, this poor boy is so ready to get out! I think today might be the day though! He and Jack don’t seem to mind each other one bit. I haven’t heard them hiss or growl at one another a single time while I was sitting in there. They are curious, and while I don’t want to jinx it, I think they may already be ready to intermingle! It will be wonderful for Jack to have a friend.

Tigger is now getting supervised “free range” time in the shed with Jack. I had been told that FeLV cats do really well with one another and seem to get along better than most but I was doubtful until I saw these two. They are still cautious with each other but it’s only day 3 and they’re doing better than some cats ever do. Tigger has been tossed around so much and his life has been anything but easy lately. It’s so amazing to see him just relax in a sunny spot. I think he’s going to be ok.

Tigger has NOT been my biggest fan since he got here. He’s been doing alright with Jack, but humans have caused him nothing but trouble lately. We’ve kept him in cages for months and almost killed him. I can’t blame him for not trusting me.

Today he decided I’m safe. He decided HE is safe. I offered him my finger to sniff, just as I have been doing for days, and today I was given a cheek to scratch. That cheek turned into a whole head turned into a cuddle pile with me and Jack. He’s purring and more relaxed than I have ever seen him. My heart could burst. You are loved, little one.

Tigger still hisses at me every time I come into the shed. EVERY time. If I look at him wrong I get swatted at. But then I sit down on the couch, and Jack comes over to get petted, and Tigger’s like OH YEAH... I LIKE THAT TOO. And he slinks over like we’ve always been besties and just casually lays across my lap, hoping I will forget he was a jerk seconds ago.

It’s alright, Tigger. I don’t judge. Jack used to be a biter. He’s sweet as pie now. Just wait. I’ll win this one.

Tigger saw the vet yesterday and this sweet boy is now on interferon as well. We found an incredibly knowledgeable vet who is totally on these boys’ side. She said they are constantly working to find a cure and further treatments for feline leukemia. This is incredibly exciting because so many that we have talked to have basically said there are no resources or options. Around the Fourth of July we will retest both Jack and Tigger and see if they’ve made any progress against the virus! There is still so much to learn about FeLV and I personally have a world of new info to take in, but if I know anything I know we are going to fight for these babies.

It’s hard to believe that both of these boys were seen as value-less. Neither of their histories are really known, but Jack is the friendliest boy you could ever hope to meet and was found as an in-tact stray. Tigger was pulled from the kill list in a New York shelter. Both of them were “supposed” to be put down because of Feline Leukemia. And yet all they want to do is give love. I brought coffee out here to sit with them but I have no hands to drink it with!

Jack and Tigger have been moved into their new shed! There’s a lot of work left to do in both of them, but how AMAZING is it that Jack and Tigger have their own space, and as soon as I get the first one cleaned out we will be able to start taking in and adopting out other babes again! Life is only getting better for these loves!

Jack is wildly chasing flies, jumping all over and making lots of noise. Tigger has had enough of him

Tigger and Max and I just having a casual afternoon coffee. There was some debate as to whether we should get hot or iced, but we also had a delicious vegan scone and everyone knows you have to have hot coffee with your scone. We are also discussing where to store their other treats, medicines, litter and other accessories. Right now everything is in my basement and kitchen, but it would be cool if we had a couple cabinets to store their things right out in their buildings. That was Tigger’s idea, don’t blame me.

Back home and somebunny missed me! Oh my gosh, I had an amazing time, and I’ll post a little about the farm sanctuary I visited later, but it’s so great just to sit here with my friends for now. A thunderstorm is rolling in and my favorite FeLVies are curled up with me while it rains.

You there. I see you have treats. Why have I not received any? Yes I know I just ate a whole can of food. Why would that matter? You think I don’t want treats too? You’d be wrong. Give me treats. Now. TREATS, woman!

Jerk-face Tigger got a calming collar today. He loves humans but isn’t great with the other cats. Who knows if the collar will do any good, but it can’t hurt. And how adorable is he wearing it?! Sweet little country bumpkin!

Rough life you got there, kid.

Tigger is quite the troublemaker around here. But with that big ol’ head, a few extra toes and the most pathetic sounding cries when he wants to be petted, how could we do anything but love him?

Tigger went to the vet this morning for a dental consult because I think his teeth are bothering him. Dental issues are super common with FeLV cats. He has a little bit of inflammation in his gums and also the beginnings of a kitty cold so we took care of both today. Next week he will get his teefers cleaned and possibly have a few extracted. In the meantime we got some pain medicine and an antibiotic. 1st vet appointment of the day done! 

With some muddy grass starting to peek out from the snow, the FeLVies are using this opportunity to run around outside for a bit! I won’t tell them how long it’s going to be before it gets warm again.

Tigger is home! He had most of his teeth extracted but after x-rays they said a few of them were still good, so he does have a couple left in the front. This poor gummy bear. He is very glad to be home although he has made it known that he was not thrilled about the entire hospital stay. He already seems to be feeling better though. He even ate on the way home! Fingers crossed that this is the final answer for his eating issues.

Tigger is going back for what better be his last dental procedure tomorrow morning. Last time they decided they needed to remove all of his teeth, but then left a few in because some weren’t inflamed. However he is STILL in pain and STILL having trouble eating, so they are going back in to remove the ones they left and check for any roots that might have been left behind. Keep your fingers crossed that this will be the final answer for our boy!

Tigger is home and recovering. He doesn’t have a tooth left in his head but he has lots of pain meds and some yummy soft food. They found a couple roots that remained from previous extractions and removed those too. Keep your fingers crossed that this last extraction will be the answer to his pain issues!

Poor, sweet FeLVie Tigger doesn’t have a tooth left in his head, but he just cannot seem to get a break from the pain. I think we’ve been fighting his dental issues close to a year now, and after today’s vet appointment we may finally have some answers. Stomatitis is super common in feline leukemia kitties, and many cats get relief from having teeth removed, but Tigger’s gums are still incredibly angry and inflamed. He won’t eat unless we make him soupy canned food without chunks that he can easily swallow without chewing. But we are going to try a new med and I’m very hopeful that it will work. He will be on it for life but if he’s happy and pain-free, that’s all that matters!

Our dearest Tigger, the toothless FeLV kitty, started showing symptoms of an upper respiratory infection, barely moving, unwilling to eat. He had recently lost some weight but with his gum and mouth issues he frequently has trouble eating. Then this morning his pupils were uneven. NOT good at all. Bloodwork and X-rays were done and it looks like Tigger has FIP.

He has to get better. We can’t do this again. Please, Tigger.

Tigger is doing better tonight. He’s not EATING eating, but he has been licking at food and showing interest in it. He’s moving MUCH better. Yesterday he was a blob that wouldn’t even get up to use the litter box. Tonight he climbed down from the cat tree and jumped into my lap. He has had two injections of the FIP medication and we are nowhere near out of the woods but I am so, so hopeful.

Tigger baby is doing SO MUCH BETTER. I think it’s safe to say the FIP meds are working for him! Thank goodness!!!! They are still insanely expensive and we still really need help to get him through his entire treatment. Not ready to say we are out of the woods, but we are seeing small improvements.