Colony cat rescuers always work tirelessly to help feral cats, knowing they will never get to cuddle them. It’s not that they don’t want to, but feral cats understandably fear humans. They’ve grown up on the cruel streets, and they want no part of any cuddle or even a gentle pat from ten feet away. No, thank you! Although rescuers long to give these kitties love, they have to give them a respectful distance.
Of course, helping cats is a worthy reward in itself. But it’s an extra-wonderful treat when you find a cat like this orange-and-white boy named Aralaq.
Aralaq, the friendly cat, appears near a doorway in Brooklyn. Images and media via Facebook/Flatbush Cats
Did Aralaq Rescue Himself in the Trap?
The TNR (trap, neuter, return) rescuers set their traps, placing the bait inside. As they hid out of sight, they expected to be rewarded by helping another feral cat live their best life.
But one day, the rescuers set their trap, and Aralaq appeared. Right away, they could see this cat was different. Rather than slinking around fearfully, he strolled right up, went in, and chowed down. It was an immediate clue: Aralaq was a stray and had possibly been someone’s pet. Since he had no skills for life as a feral cat, he was struggling, oily, and emaciated.
When he saw a trap, he wasted no time getting inside. Did he know he was rescuing himself? Maybe he did!
Desperate for Food –and Affection
Along with being desperate for food, Aralaq was desperate for affection, too! It was such a wonderful moment when the cute kitty started giving head-butts to his rescuer. And what a priceless reward for all that tireless, and often thankless, work.
Aralaq is the friendly rescue ever.
“When we took a closer look we could see why – he was emaciated, dirty, and clearly having trouble surviving outside. It took him only a few minutes to tell his trapper he was in need of pets almost as much as steady meals,” shared Flatbush Cats.
Flatbush Cats rescuer heads a nose boop
Video via YouTube/Flatbush Cats:
Head Boops Aplenty!
As friendly as this boy was, there was no way he was going back to life as a scavenger on the hard streets. Thanks to the rescue, he found a foster home instead. As you can see in the video below, he settled into life as a house cat in record time.
Aralaq, the kitty, says, ‘What’s up?’ on a soft loveseat.
And, the best part is seeing how grateful he was to his foster mom, giving head boops and chatting away happily. Such fuzzy moments are indeed a wonderful reward for all rescuers. Frequently, they get the ultimate gift of knowing a cat they caught went on to live as a beloved house cat companion for life. Other times, they get to reunite families with their lost pets through microchip reunions, too!
Aralaq the cat sits on a red stool in his foster home and gets affection from his foster mom.
“After being trapped as part of a large TNR project, Aralaq wasted no time settling back into the good life. His favorite activities in his foster home include sous cheffing, head booping, and general merriment. Thank you for making his new life possible,” Flatbush Cats shared.
On any given day, you can find a wonderful companion like Aralaq in a shelter or rescue near you. For more, follow and support Flatbush Cats on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Foster mom gets a head boop
