Back in 2002, Jacqui and Kay took an emergency call from their vet in Canton who had been called out to an RTA in Ely. The vet nurse had pursuaded a new locum vet that they had to attend, temporarily shutting the surgery and asking all the clients to wait outside for 30 minutes until they returned!!
But when they arrived at the scene, they couldn't find the cat. The police were still trying to clear the road of cars and bystanders when Jacqui and Kay got there and, after asking around, they were directed to a side ally and overgrown garden. Within 10 minutes they found a large anxious tabby, desperately trying to drag his broken body over the wall and away from from. They caught him using a big net-grabber and rushed him straight to the locum vet back on the main road who determined that he had a severe fracture of the pelvis.
The cat was given strong pain relief and Jacqui and Kay were instructed how to nurse and care for such injuries in a "feral" cat; largely restricting his movement in a cage BUT also ensuring that his bladder and bowel functioned normally.
They set up a cage in the conservatory off their kitchen, with the patio doors open. This was "Elvis'" home for the next six weeks. He was still in his cage when SHUA moved to Hayes House.
Elvis recovered but was left with a swagger in his step - which is how he got his name. (As you can tell from the picture, he was going for the older Elvis look - gorgeous but a bit pudgey around the tummy!) Elvis wasn't feral but was used to living outdoors and chose to spend most of his time in the SHUA grounds, occasionally coming into the conservatory for food or to sunbathe.
Elvis had lived on the streets for some time and was used to his own company. He didn't really want any friends and saw Tomas and Bruce (the head of our colony and deputy respectively) as threats. He would frequently have boxing matches with them. It was quite funny really - a slightly senile Tomas, Bruce with only 3 legs and Elvis with his exaggerated swagger, pretending they were still young, agile, tough tom cats!
Elvis was with us for 2 and a half years, during which time he mellowed considerably. He would frequently be spotted sunbathing or otherwise hanging out with other cats - including Tomas and Bruce. He had became part of our family and loved a cwtch. He would happily pose for the camera too, as you can see!
But then, one day in late November 2004, Elvis simply vanished. We realised that we hadn't seen him for a few days and searched high and low for weeks, walking the fields around the property and calling out for him but to no avail. We could only assume the worst but never found his body. This has always distressed us - the not knowing.
Elvis had left the building. Missing in action, presumed dead. We can only hope that he didn't suffer. Rest in peace our gorgeous boy.
Back to Angels Main Page.
