Saturday, April 8, 2006
Good morning fellow cat bloggers and cats!
You've had questions about Rufus and it's about time he and I try to answer them!
First off, here he is out back w/ our snowdrops and eranthus two days before we got another 15" of snow - springtime in the Rockies!!!
Rufus was born at a fur farm and a family in Nevada adopted him and took him before his eyes opened and bottle fed him. They had him until he was 8 months old but they couldn't get a permit for him so at that point he went back to the fur farm. That family had a pet store and they'd put him in with the puppies every day and consequently he loves dogs! In fact sometimes we call him a cat-a-dog because he gets confused and isn't sure if he's a cat or a dog!
They declawed him (you couldn't really have him as a pet if he wasn't) but then they had to send him back to the fur farm because they couldn't get a permit. My husband knew these people and we agreed to adopt Rufus. We live in an area where we can get a permit - more on that later.
So at 8 months, Rufus came to live with us. At that point, we also had a yellow lab and a Bengal cat and an alley cat. Rufus loved the lab and after about two weeks he and the Bengal became playmates. The alley cat and he were always a little wary of each other.
I wish Rufus could have lived in the wild because he's high strung and shouldn't be cooped up. However, without his claws that wouldn't work and he couldn't be placed in a zoo because zoo animals have their claws.
So he's lived with us and he'll turn 14 in May. He's been a lively pet but a good one. All our previous pets have died and we now have an 18 month old lab he adores and an Australian shepherd he puts up with!
He eats a canned food, Zupream, that's fed to zoo animals - it contains nutrients for the wild cat. He's not dangerous but we won't let little kids get too close to him - they're too fidgety and they can't hold still and that makes him nervous. He purrs like a chainsaw.
He uses a doggie door to go out back and has almost an acre to roam on. In the house, he's on invisible fence and is only allowed in the living room and the kitchen.
All in all, he's been a fun pet and he's gotten along well with our animals. I wouldn't recommend keeping wild animals as pets though - they're meant to be in the wild.
Oh yeah - the permit - he's held on a scientific use permit - we found a vet willing to take care of him - he gets regular rabies shots and all the cat shots - his blood is drawn and sent to universities that test it to see how efficacious the rabies shots are - they've also drawn up a DNA panel on him and tested other stuff as well.
Hope this answers some of your questions - have a good weekend!
WOW!! Thanks for letting us know that! Rufus is beautiful and what a unique experience to have him in your life. I've taken care of wild ainimals because I'm a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. They are different and it takes a special person to raise them, that's for sure. Rufus has had a very interesting journey in life and very lucky to have so many people who care about him. Thank you so much for sharing pictures of him!!!
Posted by: sher | April 08, 2006 at 09:53 AM
How interesting! I love the previous pic you posted of Rufus on the barbecue. :)
Posted by: tfp | April 08, 2006 at 04:29 PM
I agree, thanks for shring so many detils about your beautiful cat with us! I am so glad that he has such great family to look after him, it is sd tht he can't be wild but at least he is loved and well cared for
Posted by: clare eats | April 09, 2006 at 05:21 AM
He is absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for telling us about him, I'm sure he has made a very interesting, challenging and unique pet.
Posted by: kross-eyed kitty | April 09, 2006 at 08:35 AM
Very interesting indeed. I agree with you, wild animals should not end up as pets or in captivity, but in this case, it was the only solution and I must say that you are very lucky...
I love his wild animal looks and his cute face expression! Rufus is magnificent.
Posted by: Rosa | April 09, 2006 at 10:41 PM
This is really fabulous. I am glad Rufus found an understanding home. I know wild animals should not be pets but Rufus looks like he is just an ole fluffy kitty-cat at heart. Kudos to you (and your amazing vet:))
Posted by: Gigolo Kitty | April 09, 2006 at 11:17 PM
I have candian lynx and I am having trouble getting Zupream. That is the only cat food she likes. I have had her about 8 years. Do you know where I can order it or the company that makes it. Thanks lcr111@aol.com
Posted by: Lenny | August 17, 2006 at 07:57 AM