This abandoned cat was almost killed because a fitness centre's user was afraid of cats

19-10-2006

This is a very friendly tabby male cat that I saw at the gym about 2-3 weeks ago. He is a definitely abandonee. I got him sterilized about 2 weeks ago. Today I heard from SK that his life is in danger. A female gym-user has complaint to the AVA about 2 cats (the new tabby at the entrance of the gym and a old timer - a female sterilized tabby that usually sleeps within the shrubs and not at the entrance. She has now befriended the male tabby and hence she is now more visible). Her reason - she is just scared of cats. SK contacted a gym admin. staff who fortunately likes cats. She has contacted the regular 9am feeder to feed further away from the gym entrance but the cats still returned to the area in front of the gym entrance. SK has suggested that the feeder stop feeding altogther (there are ample feeders at other part of the area around the gym) and to use scare-away techniques (such as spraying water) on the cats but the administrative lady felt it would be cruel. This admin. person is now allowing the cat-fearful user to enter they gym via a side entrance. Let's hope the cats will eventually stay away from the entrance and there is no need to relocate them to a new place which may still put them in mortal danger of hunger and being hounded by other cats.

22-10-2006:

Handsome-boy was still hanging around the main entrance of the gym and he was looking for opportunity to enter the cool interior. He was in "clear and present danger" as his time was fast running out. The rest of the community cats in this area could be in danger too if complaint goes "higher up" (the problem with "customer always right" service attitude).


25-10-2006: Video-clip of him in the reception room of the Vet. He would be vaccinated and dewormed. On Wednesday, he would move to a boarding facility for rehoming. I renamed him Gym-Boy on his registration card.

25-10-2006, 7pm: Phyllis called to say that Gym-Mee has arrived at the shelter. She said he appeared to be an intelligent boy but a bit nervous. We hope he will go to a real home soon.

26-10-2006

From an Admirer of Gym-Mee

At 10/26/2006 06:40:24 PM, Anonymous said...
Hi, to whoever u are. if u r gonna adopt this cat, this is for u. This fat cat has a name now. Gym mee, lovely! as an ex animal show trainer n presenter, i think this cat is very clever. he's also very lovely and tame, especially friendly, somehow too friendly that he never knew how dangerous humans can be sometimes. honestly, i really miss him. been looking out for him since the day he went missing until now. everyone at the gym's been asking for him too, fr the cleaners to the gym users, everyone..... i've never come across a cat as clever, as friendly n as lazy as him. he sure noes how to ask for pamper. juz by looking at the way he sleeps never fails to cheer up your day. he is such a cat! seriously, i have no idea why such a lovely cat would end up a stray cat. somehow, i really miss the time of having him and another partner follow me all the way from the centre entrance to the car park but i noe by finding him a permanent home is the only solution. pls take him in good hand n im sure he will bring u happiness, alot of happiness.(i took this pic of him earlier ..... i juz hope that whoever that adopts him, pls treasure him cos he's definitely a gem to us n that we all miz him veri much)

My comments: Gym-Mee is definitely not born a stray. He is born and he grew up in the company of our species, homo-sapiens. What is uncomprehensive is how some of our species can "dispose" of such trusting home companions and hope they survive on the streets. For every Gym-Mee who lives, many have perished from being run over by cars (such as this kitten), from starvation because they can be hounded by the established community of cats in any particular area or from infected wounds from being attacked and injured. If not for Grace at the gym, this cat would also have died at the hands of a gym-user who has a fear of cats. Cats rounded by pest control personnel are sent to AVA where they will be killed. Someone is coming to see him at the shelter on Saturday and hopefully Gym-Mee will be the one selected. Come back on this blog for update.
I told Grace that if Gym-Mee is not adopted, he can return to the gym provided the lady who wanted to complain to "higher authorities would give an undertaking or a promise that she will withdraw her threat and that there will be people at all times of the gym to commit to looking out and caring for him. If Gym-Mee can be trained to move over to the Sepak Takraw centre with regular supply of food, water and shelter, he will be safe.

28-10-2008

I am but a dwarf
If you look at me way up high
With a mind cleared of unfounded fear

I am like you
Yearning for affection
The pats on my head
The nibbles I get

I am lonely
Wanting to follow the people I love
Why do none stop and stay?

I am just a little cat
With a big heart
For someone who will stop
And bring me home to love
For the rest of
Just one of my lives


A lovely couple have visited Gym-Mee this morning. They have three cats in mind. They have gone home to ponder about which cat to adopt, this being their very first cat. Next week, they will return to pick up the lucky cat.
Will it be Gym-Mee? I think he certainly hopes so.

Gym-Mee is now called Zacky and his story continues on this blog called FOCUS

November 23, 2008 Zacky After Bath

With today’s slight warm morning weather, the cats went for a bath.

Here is Zacky after his bath, seeking human’s companionship. He looks kinda scruffy but he is really clean and has cologne on him - Apple flavored.

By historical records, this high degree of cleanliness last for 1 day before he will be masked by his male musky cat feel.