Dr. Minerva aka Minnie

I didn’t know what to expect…

A woman posted looking to rehome a 9 month old female, black cat, who had “shown up” in her neighborhood and had been socialized in her garage. I didn’t quite know what to expect, but I offered to get her fixed and take her in as a foster.

Not a great area…

I guess none of them come from amazing locations, but this was a dead end street condo/apartment situation. This was before I started bringing people with me for safety. I found the home, knocked on the door, and was met with heavy smells of dog urine. I tried to reserve judgement and came inside. From the second I walked in, I felt “wrong”. I wanted to get in and out quickly.

She began the hunt

Minnie was no where to be seen, but the woman was slamming open every cabinet and screaming for her. She finally flipped over her couch and I saw movement. I offered to let me grab her, but she pulled out a knife and cut the bottom of her couch out. That was…new. Minnie was cramming herself into a hole in the couch and hyperventilating. I knew, no matter what, I was taking her out of there. I got her into the carrier and thanked the woman. I hurried back to my car and checked on Minnie, who was frozen with wide eyes.

Spay day!

She went in for her spay and I received a call that she was fixed and tattooed, but not chipped. We gave her my chip and I decided to do some digging. The woman who had given her to me stated “oh no she’s not mine, I found her as a kitten, she isn’t fixed.” I relayed the vet’s information and the story started to change. I don’t know where Minnie came from, but I was told she was afraid of dogs and needed to go. Between that Tuesday and Friday, the story became: that’s my niece’s cat and she wants her back. I made a judgment call.

I try to be a law abiding citizen

After the last series of texts I said “enough”. I relayed the following: you asked me to take this cat, spay her, and find her a home. She is now chipped to me and is available for adoption. You can apply to adopt her, but I can guarantee she is NOT going back to that house. I received “GOD, SORRY!” in response and I blocked her. Was this the right thing to do? Lawfully? No. Morally? I stand by this decision.

Happy endings

I had her for 2 months, during which time she delighted us with dainty, 2 part meows and standing headbutts. The application I approved came from Modesto, where we drove to drop her off. I still get semi regular updates from her mom. Minnie is still talkative and does okay with the kids. Her mom gave her hiding tunnels and has given up on fish because they are Minnie’s favorite snack LOL! Minnie was a sponsored adoption and her perfect meow still makes me smile.