SOUTH CAROLINA RESCUE
MILO’S STORY
Milo, an adorable little silver Tabby Bob-Tail kitten, was found in a taped-up box, on a loading dock at a home improvement store, with one of his siblings last June.  His other two siblings were later located hiding under a stack of pallets. Three of the four babies had short tails.  Milo, and one of his brothers, Megavolt, were adopted last fall to two separate families.  Two other siblings, Millie and MacGyver, are still campaigning and interviewing.
Milo recently came back to us, through no fault of his own.  His adopter signed a lease with a landlord that only allowed one pet.  They took their dog, and re-homed their other cat, whom Milo had closely bonded with, to relatives.  Milo was returned to us, at our insistence.
Our fosters, technicians at our veterinary office, welcomed a terrified and grieving Milo back into the fold.  He was so upset, and fearful that he was unapproachable and striking out.  Thankfully, this staff knew this baby, knew he wasn’t a recalcitrant cat, and knows how to react to calm a situation, and not escalate one.  If Milo had landed somewhere else, with people lacking the
knowledge that immediate reactions do not equal long term behavior, he could have been tossed outside, at best, or euthanized as a feral, at worst.
 
Save Our Strays, and our rescue partners, commit for life. They come back, room is made, arrangements are made, and a way is found.  Milo spent a week in a quiet and protected environment, with soft voices, lots of Feliway pheromones and catnip.  He is now actively playing with staff, and the other hospital residents and will again be available to a qualified adopter.  Someone who will adopt a “forever cat,” and not turn him into an “until cat.”

SOUTH CAROLINA RESCUE

Saving Noir
Noir, one of our managed colony cats, a shy little red Tabby girl, was noticeably thinner.  She was losing her good body weight, and the decision was made to get her to the vet for exam and lab work.  She was still eating, but not with her usual vigor, and was spending a lot of time sleeping in the sun.  She was coaxed into a carrier, and off to the vet she went.
 
Noir is approximately 10+ years old, and definitely suffering with at least one bad tooth, potentially more.  Her complete blood count and chemistry all came back within acceptable parameters, though demonstrating infection, inflammation and mild dehydration.  She was sent to foster, where she will be given antibiotics and an inflammatory for two weeks, then re-evaluated to see if she gains some weight back and health improved.  She will be supported until she is strong enough for anesthesia, and dental work.
 
At her middle to senior age, we would prefer that Noir be transitioned into an indoor colony sanctuary for support and supervision, and fed canned and home cooked food several times a day to improve her health.  In the meantime, she has a place in a sunny window and a warm bed while we monitor her meds and progress.
Managing a colony doesn’t stop with feeding.  It also includes medical care, and appropriate alternatives as needed.  Save Our Strays believes in doing the best we can for every animal that comes into our hands, and care.