this post was submitted on 28 Jul 2026
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The cat distribution system works in strange ways. I had an engine cat once. Or at least what I believe to be an engine cat.
I heard meowing the day after our wedding. I went outside and saw a tiny orange kitten. They bolted and caught themselves in a chain link fence. We took them in. They were missing two claws that had been removed through mechanical means and had some mysterious black oily stuff on them.
They were with us for several years and were one of the best cats ever. One of the questions my wife asked me on our first date was "Have you ever read the Life of Pi?" I had. That book was instrumental in me showing that I was not an idiot and that I read books. We named the cat Pi. Because Pi helped us get married.
Yeah... My house serves as a depot for the local cat distribution network. Our neighborhood has a lot of strays and we consistently put out food in an effort to build up enough trust to get them spayed, neutered, or provide some much needed wound/healthcare.
It's a catch and release program, but sometimes they decide the release aspect is optional. The old or sick cats usually decide that being pampered indoors makes a lot of sense, so we've gotten to show some love to some rough old-timers before they pass.
Half of the cats I feed are foster cats that were determined to be ineligible for adoption. I only had one TNR from our property that we kept. We noticed they had neurological issues after getting fixed. They stayed with us for two years before their kidneys failed. They were a good cat.
Yeah, a lot of the cats that only end up being with us for a short time had been mostly feral all their lives. For the most part the only reason they end up tolerating us at first is because they are just too old or sick to put up a fight.
By the end though they almost unanimously end up really enjoying their stay. Prob doesn't hurt that once we've decided it's reached end of life care they get to have as much rotisserie chicken or mackle they can handle. Even if they had a rough life, the least we can do is give them a good ending.
Reminds you that while we domesticated dogs, cats just showed up and moved in
Currently have three different little boarders who are more than happy to make me aware it's my privilege to host them.