About 6-7 months ago, a very skinny stray cat showed up in my backyard. He was so malnourished that when he opened his mouth to hiss at me, no sound came out. My husband and I fed him and watered him, and very shortly, he started letting me pet him. We checked all the lost cat posters in our neighborhood (Ojai) and at the pet stores, all the lost cat postings within 200 miles of here but haven't been able to locate the cats owners. We've been calling him Buttercat. When Butttercat showed up, it was pretty clear to us that he was a lost cat, not a feral, as he was so skinny, never hunted, his fur was a mess, and he loves to be loved. Sometimes he loved to be pet more than he wants food, and he'd sit on our back fence for as long as someone will pet him. Hence, my problem. When Buttercat first showed up, our neutered male cat was interested in Buttercat, but didn't seem particularly threatened by him. But once Buttercat started to gain weight, though, one of our cats started to have a serious problem with him. So, pretty much every day for the last 4-5 months, our cat has terrorized and beat up Buttercat. We wanted to adopt Buttercat, so I've tried everything I can think of and I've even tried three of Jackson Galaxy's Holistic remedies for cats, Peacemaker, Bully Remedy and Safe Spaces. Nothing has worked, and if anything, it got worse. I've long thought that Buttercat deserves a better life than to just be outdoors, getting food, water, and 10 minutes of love twice a day. I really think he deserves a chance to be adopted and live with someone who will give him the love he needs, and where some jerky cat isn't beating him up every day. Early last week, Buttercat showed up with an eye infection, so my vet gave him some antibiotics. At the same time, I found a lost cat posting for a cat who went missing in Temecula. The owners and I thought it was possible that their lost cat was Buttercat, so they agreed to drive to Ventura to see. I grabbed Buttercat and him at dinner time, put him into a cage, and put him in the garage overnight with a fluffy blanket. In the morning, much to my surprise, he had turned into a different cat: he doesn't run from people, loves being inside and just purrs all the time. So clearly he used to be an indoor cat, and is happiest that way. He also had an eye infection, which my vet treated, and he's better now. Sadly, when the folks from Temecula arrived, they quickly concluded that Buttercat is not their lost cat, and as they have three other cats already, they wouldn't take him. My problem now is that he clearly needs to be inside: he's not skittish anymore; in fact, he's docile and is happy to be picked up, brushed, or anything really, as long as a human is around. It breaks my heart to think of turning him back outside, but I cannot keep him in our garage. It's hot out there, and my husband's band equipment is set up there, as the band uses it for rehearsal space. During the two weeks Buttercat has been living in the garage, it's clear that he's a sweet boy who just wants a safe indoor space, and will reward you with lots of love. He is sweet, gentle, and loves to sit with to a human. He purrs constantly while he's pet, will sit next to you and purr as long as you'll let him, and loves to be brushed, too. He doesn't scratch anything he isn't supposed to, uses the litter box, and is totally docile with everyone from kids and with other cats. He was great with the vet, let her give him his vaccinations, and take blood without a complaint. The vet said he's a neutered male, and he's not ear-tipped, so he was someone's pet, and deserves to be so again. He's up to date with his immunizations, has been been treated with Revolution and tested for FeLV/FIV. He's ready to be your love bug! Buttercat is only about 2 or 3 years old and will be shown for weekend adoption at the Cats Cradle Adoption Center at 1954 E. Main Street, Ventura. Please call Cats Cradle Rescue at 805-485-8811 for more information on meeting and adopting Buttercat.

Cats Cradle Rescue animals are spayed or neutered and have received at least one vaccination before they are placed up for adoption.  Each animal lives in a foster home as part of the family.

Cats Cradle Rescue requires an adoption application and contract with each animal.  Our adoption fee covers Feline Leukemia and Feline Immuno Virus testing, first year's shots, spay/neuter and microchip.  We also send you home with a collar, CCR tag and starter food.