Famous flood cat headed to feral cat program to be set free
A soggy cat that found fame on the internet after firefighters plucked him from a raging storm channel will soon be turned loose to live out the rest of his nine lives on the streets.
The roughly 3-year-old cream-colored cat is just too wild to become someone’s pet, according to the vet clinic that has been caring for him since he was rescued by the Clark County Fire Department on June 30.
“It’s been about a month since we got him, and he’s definitely feral,” said Carolyn Garcia, a veterinarian with Pebble Maryland Animal Hospital, on Pebble Road and South Maryland Parkway. “We can’t even touch him. We had to sedate him to give him his vaccinations.”
On Monday, the furry flood survivor will be handed over to the Community Cat Coalition of Clark County, a local nonprofit that helps support feral cat colonies around the valley but also captures and sterilizes the animals to keep them from reproducing.
The plan is to try to incorporate him into an existing feral cat colony not far from the wash where he was rescued. He will live free but have regular access to food, water and shelter.
“I’m glad to know this is going to be a happy ending for him,” Garcia said.
The fire department sent out a photo of the wet, miserable animal that briefly caught fire on social media.
After the cat was featured in the newspaper, Garcia said the vet clinic fielded about 15 calls from people interested in adopting him. In the end, though, they decided he would never adapt to life inside someone’s home.
“He just has not warmed up to us at all,” she said.
At least the cat is headed back outside with a clean bill of health. Garcia said he tested negative for all common feline illnesses, and his shots are now up to date.
“He’s actually doing really well,” she said. “We named him Stormy. We thought that was appropriate.”
Since 2010, the Community Cat Coalition of Clark County — or C5 for short — has trapped and sterilized more than 25,000 feral cats from about 200 locations across the valley and returned them to their colonies.
Stormy might well be one of them, Garcia said. He was already neutered when the fire department brought him in, and the tip of one ear had been clipped off, something feral cat programs often do to identify animals after capture.
Asked if she’ll miss Stormy when he’s gone, Garcia didn’t hesitate.
“Nope,” she said with a laugh. “We kind of want him out of here, and I’m sure he wants out of here, too. He’s a feisty little guy.”
Contact Henry Brean at hbrean@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0350. Find @RefriedBrean on Twitter.