I need, eventually, to find a forever home for a gentle gray tabby named Jack...
He's a stray male cat I've been feeding for months. He is not remotely feral, but not really very used to humans (aside from me, and I still spook him sometimes if I move too fast). He is a stray, but not wild.
He loves to be loved. And he is *very* gentle - I have been amazed at his disposition, actually. He'll chew on your fingers a bit (never ever breaking skin) and swat at you if you offend his sensibilities, but he has never once hissed, growled, or been aggressive. One day he was limping and he let me feel all around his front feet without a protest - even between the toes - I was checking for stones or other foreign objects and didn't find anything (turned out to be a stone bruise, I think - limp went away in about 3 days). But anyway, he just sat there and purred while I checked his feet - I was greatly surprised because my male cat Ivan, whom I've had for over 10 years, will still bite the crap out of me if I touch his feet for more than a few seconds.
Anyway. Jack is used to being independent. He shows up regularly every night for dinner and scritch-scratches, and yodels (I swear it sounds like he's yodeling) to announce his arrival. I am going to have him neutered and vaccinated in January or at the latest, February.
I am happy to care for him until he is placed in the right home, but he needs a home, and it can't be mine (many other cats, plus a schedule that might require more traveling in the spring).
He may thrive in a situation where he can be a barn cat, but only if the situation provides him with regular food, shelter, love and medical care. I know outdoor cats are a threat to birds and other wildlife, but he may need a transitional period to becoming an indoor cat, and/or he may be a great rodent-control cat for a farm.
I think he's about 2-3.
I can get photos at some point. We're in Virginia; I will transport him to the right home.
If, during the new few weeks / months, you or someone you know might be interested, please let me know. I also have asked our local rescues to put him on a wait-list for their no-kill shelters or for fosters who can work with him more, but thought I'd spread the word amongst cat-loving DUers.
Thanks for reading, and happy holidays, all.
(Cross-posted in Pets)
= new reply since forum marked as read
Oh, and thanks for helping this sweet guy!
kicking this over the next several weeks / months -- in the hopes someone else may see it!
Thanks, all.
They are very jealous of me. I hope you find someone, Flaxbee. Good luck!!
Happy Holidays
so over the next weeks / months until I find him a home.
Will keep you in mind, TA. Thank you. If he tests positive for FIV, I think there is a home here that will take him ... there is a group that places still-young/vibrant cats with good quality of life in other FIV-cat homes. Oddly, it might be easier to place him if he has FIV than if he's healthy!
He doesn't seem remotely ill, but in the last year I've had to make the decision to have two other neighborhood males I was caring for put to sleep because they both were sick (but visibly so). I'm just worried it might be in the community.
I've posted here, in Pets, and the DC, WVa., Pennsylvania, NC, VA and MD forums... I'd drive further for the right home, but thought I'd keep it within an 8-hour drive at first! 
Happy holidays to you and your kitties!
I'm in PA and Mr. Mickey's gonna be 18. I couldn't even think of adopting another, but wanted to… 
Our oldest, who we lost to kidney failure a while back, was 17-18 ... he was very vigorous aside from the kidneys and I think he could have gone on for many years more. I hope Mr. Mickey has many more happy years.
There are so many cats who need good homes ... Jack would be a loving addition to any family who was patient enough to deal with his always-been-independent quirks.
