A new stray showed up near my classroom building, so we trapped him on Wednesday and will have him neutered Sunday. Not a happy guest! He managed to get out of the first cage that we put him in by squeezing through the bars. Those cages are actually made for dogs, but we haven't had any problem with cats using them until this tough guy. We had quite a scramble, when we had to chase him around the rehab room, and David finally trapped him under a laundry basket. Got him into a more secure cage, which he proceeded to do his best to tear apart. Of course we feel sorry for him, as it's clear that he's really terrified to be here--the down side of the whole process of neutering is keeping the cats cooped up until we can arrange the operation, but we have to trap them when we see them, and work that part out afterward. We'll be glad to get him back out as soon as possible.

Ended up being able to go out for my birthday after all...I met David after classes finished, which was only around 8:30, but that's really late for our rural area! Most of our neighbors are in bed by then. The restaurant was still open, but we were the only people there, which made it a bit funny when they brought me my cake and sang Happy Birthday to me! The cooks joined the waitress, and it was sweet of them all to go to the trouble. A few pictures...  Best present? Chobi is doing better, which is a huge relief!! She is still at the emergency clinic, but they're giving us a slight break on costs, and we hate to move her when she's doing well. I think she may be ready to come back to the shelter soon!

Going out to ARK tomorrow, so we have to get everything ready for an overnight away. Volunteers are coming out to check on the cats. We'll only be gone a little over 24 hours, but it still takes a lot of preparation. Hopefully we'll have better weather than today. It hasn't stopped raining. I did just plant several baskets of cat grass to hang near the enclosure perches, so the rain should be good for that!