Cute cat (male) wants to go inside after crazy life

Who’s there? It’s almost impossible to see, but this is Alexander. The neutered black and white tomcat was found on the street. He arrived at Dierentehuis Alkmaar (temporarily located in Purmerend) on April 27 in an animal ambulance. It was King’s Day – that’s why he is now called Alexander.

“He came to us like a wild cat,” said Patricia Mudd of the Animal House. “But we don’t believe that. If it was a wild cat, you wouldn’t be able to get close to it.” For Alexander, that’s possible. “He eats liquid from our fingers.” One of the employees was even allowed to touch Alexander, although she wasn’t allowed to actually pet him yet. She had to swallow a lot of liquid sugar before she was allowed to touch him.

The visit was unfortunate: with strangers present, Alexander was afraid to leave the safety hole in the barrel, which also served as a grab post. His nose was exposed for a moment, and that was all you could see. He was anxious, but not at all aggressive.

Alexander’s age is estimated at “nearly ten years old”. He led a dissolute life on the streets. Fights, chasing cats, everything. Now he’s infected with the feline variant of HIV: V. He has feline AIDS. “It’s annoying because it means he’ll get sick sooner, like with the flu. So we’re looking for someone for him who’ll dare to do that. And he can’t really be around other cats, because FIV is very contagious for cats.” Not for humans, by the way. “But therefore Alexander has to stay indoors, or in a screened, enclosed garden or balcony. A cat run is ideal.”

His new owner has to be patient with him, too. Alexander doesn’t come easy with confidence. “But he’s caught up. He stopped shooting when we came in. We think there’s a really good cat in him.”

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