Written by African Tails – Adoption Manager: Sandy Clifton
Professional photography by The LetterBox Productions
Logan was brought to African Tails by his owner, seeking medical attention for him after he’d presumably been hit by a car. His owner said she found him on her balcony, unable to put weight on his back leg. We sent Logan to our vet who confirmed that it was a very bad break. The vet concluded that surgery wouldn’t save his leg and the decision was made to amputate it.
His owner decided to surrender him to us as she felt the environment in which she lived wasn’t safe. It was also a high-traffic area and everyone was concerned that he’d be knocked by a car again.
After his surgery, Logan went to his wonderful foster home to recover. From initially hiding in a cupboard, he slowly starting venturing further into his foster home, and managed to jump on chairs and beds. We knew then that it was time for him to go to his forever home.
Soon he was adopted by someone who’d had a three-legged cat previously and who felt confident that he could integrate Logan quickly with his existing cat.
Sadly, the two cats just never hit it off and it was decided for Logan’s own good that he rather be returned.
Logan also had an insatiable appetite and packed on the pounds – we hardly recognised him when he was returned. We felt his discomfort could have been one of the reasons he didn’t fit in – losing his leg would’ve been a huge adjustment, and not knowing how to deal with it, he ate for comfort.
Being that overweight with only three legs must’ve taken its toll on him.
But I didn’t despair as, just as Logan’s first adoption was finalised, Stephen and Alicia Christie (who’d previously adopted two cats from African Tails) enquired about Logan’s availability. They too had previously had a three-legged cat. I explained that Logan was about to go to his forever home, but should things not work out, I’d definitely get in touch.
When I heard that Logan was being returned, I sent them a message explaining the situation and they didn’t hesitate to agree to taking him in. Initially they just let him be – taking in his new surroundings and decompressing. At first he didn’t want to eat, which was concerning, but as soon as he sniffed a few KFC Pops, his heart was won over.
It wasn’t long before he started settling in and interacting with every family member – two- and four-legged!
It just took a few days for Stephen and Alicia to know that Logan wasn’t going anywhere again and they decided to adopt him. Since being in his new home, Logan has even lost a kilo or two and is looking a lot better!
Stephen and Alicia, Logan’s new family, shares...
We picked up Logan on a Friday afternoon. Once home, he walked out of his carrier and we thought: good, it seems to be going well. He walked, or should I say swaggered, around the house.
That evening we put Logan into a safe room with food and water. We’ve learnt that he has many fears and insecurities from all the turmoil he’s been through, but we’re letting him decompress in his time. He then migrated to the cupboard and finally came out to say hi, even while not eating. And yes, we did have to bribe him with KFC Pops. But after that he was eating again – and he does love wet food mixed with pellets.
Since then he’s been showing more and more confidence, sleeping on the bed in his safe space and venturing out a little as he gathers his courage.
Logan now tries to break down the bedroom door when he wants out of his space, lies around the braai room couch, at the sliding doors looking into the backyard, or just following me around the house. He comes running when we call him (Logi pogi). He’s so far ventured twice into the yard.
Once, I had to go and carry him in; the other time he must’ve gotten a fright when he saw me and zoomed inside faster than any of the four-legged friends. I say he must’ve used his tricycle to motor that fast.
On the evening of his third week with us, he came to jump onto my lap and tried the knead, but only for a few minutes. He still has a lot of decompression and relaxing to do.
But we have all the time to let him know that he’s safe and not going anywhere.
