What is going on, Gerald and Creamy?

Gerald and Creamy (aka Abu) are our only outdoor cats now.

Creamy is the back neighbour’s cat while Gerald is…Gerald. I don’t know if he has a home somewhere because he does disappear for long hours sometimes, but both definitely come for food at least twice a day.

Creamy doesn’t have any issues. He comes quietly and waits at the bench for me to notice him and then, feed him. He only wants raw chicken and nothing else.

Gerald has a million issues. His yowling and persistent mewing hasn’t mellowed one bit. Still as talkative as always.

Two days ago, he had a vomiting issue. It looked like hairball to me, but I’m still monitoring him. So I’m trying to put him in Bunny’s Place as often as I can. It is only when the yowling gets too intense and loud that I have to release him lest I incur the wrath of the animal-unfriendly and complaining neighhours.

This is the thing with outdoor cats – you don’t know what else they do outside so when they are sick, you cannot give the vet a proper history. It is so much more challenging looking after street animals. This is precisely why our funds are prioritised for street animals and their caregivers.

Super manja is what he is, that’s for sure.

But also super scaredy. Currently, Gerald is again having some issues with Creamy.  This is an ongoing thing between them.

Nowadays, whenever I go for my morning walks, I scoop up Gerald and instead of putting him in the park, I put him in Bunny’s Place where I’m sure he will be safe. I don’t want him following me, even if it’s in the park. The roads pose a danger.

The worry will always be there. And yet, what can we do when the cat prefers to be outdoors? Daily happiness vs safety?