Autistic Cat in Need of A Quiet Home...

A bit more about my darling "Autistic cat" - Ruskie.
- by Alice

Ruskie is now 8 years old and weighs a hefty 8.8kg (i know... he is BIG). I found him wandering outside my gate in Feb 2001 when he was still a kitten, barely 2-3wks old and the size of my palm. He is a home cat and has never gone out of the house though he did went missing for 3 days once when he fell off the balcony of my room. Surivived miraculously with nary a bruise on him except a broken nail.

I guess it was my fault that he is the 'autistic' cat that he is since i am the only human he really interacts with. He doesnt like crowds or people... and loves to be left alone. I am the only person whom he has allowed to carry and pat him but even then, when its 'hands-off' days, i will also get swiped. He has very strict routine of waking up and having breakfast in the morning but after that, he pretty much laze about for the rest of the day. His favourite activity is to sleep in the sink.

First rule with Ruskie is, you do not approach him. He will approach you. And nobody touches him unless he allows it (even then its for a short while and only his head/neck. He doesnt like his back or tummy rubbed). He growls to let you know that you should back off and if he purrs, then its okie to be near him. He bites if you touched him where he doesnt like. Basically he gets frightened and scared rather easily from sudden movements. I think i am the main person he allows to do things with him (he can play fetch with me, but thats before he fell ill and became even more paranoid).

3 years ago, he was quite seriously ill which left him with weak kidneys and irises that couldn't contract (we are not sure how it affected his eye sight but he seems to be able to navigate quite well around obstacles). For a while he needed twice a week dialysis (i was doing the drip for him at home) and medication. But since then, his condition has improved tremendously. At the moment, he is on prescriptive k/d diet and no need for dialysis and meds. I believe withdrawing the painful dialysis had a positive effect on him as he is one cat that doesnt do well with stress. Which is a relief since he hates visiting the vet and drawing blood from him is a painful exercise which the vet (and me) could attest to.

This is difficult for me because he has been my companion for the last 8 years and we have put up with each others quirks and routines for so long. I will miss the connection we have. which unfortunately he doesnt tolerate having with other people. Because of how he is and his health, the vet is right to say that we really dont want to stress him out and he should be re-homed into a quiet environment instead of a cattery.

Hence if any one knows of a person/friend who is willing to provide a roof and home for Ruskie, i will be eternally grateful. He is a cat with simple needs, just a roof over his head, food/water and a quiet place for him to watch the world goes by. He may not be very interactive but i always found it very peaceful when he is around just hanging beside me and he really doesnt demand much to be happy.