Bon Jovi was recently rescued after living in a Columbus OH trailer park with very poor conditions, where he was surviving on scraps from the taco truck parked at the entrance. Although he was fortunate enough to be fed 1 meal per day by caretakers volunteering CDC, he suffered severe stress while living his first three years in this park. The environment outside in this community was loud, crowded, and dangerous due to litter and shrapnel courtesy of the residents who were observed abandoning, ignoring, and some times purposefully abusing the large stray cat population.
His entire life consisted of searching for food and somewhere to lay low and hide for his own safety, and warmth. Due to the stress of his surroundings, Bon Jovi was known by the caretakers as an aggressive cat. He would swat at their feet when making sudden movements towards him or not putting his food bowl down as quickly as he’d like. Once Bon Jovi was rescued and examined by the vet, they found his left lower & upper fangs had been broken off. Due to his fear of human shoes and pattern of attacking feet, we can only assume he was once kicked in the mouth. However, on rare occasion, some of our caretakers were able to get a quick pet or feed him a treat by hand. It was then we knew he was not hopeless.
After three failed attempts to trap Bon Jovi, the rescue agency was losing hope. However, still determined, and with a foster awaiting his arrival, in the dead of December winter he was finally trapped! CDC doesn’t give up easy. He was examined by the vet, and his only health concerns were his broken teeth and a lot of hair loss and scabbing likely from fleas, and stress.
The moment he arrived at his foster home, he immediately exited his crate and rubbed up against the legs of his foster mom (to her utter surprise). Bon Jovi finally felt the comfort of his own plush cat bed. He instantly scarfed down a full meal he didn’t have to fight another cat for. After his first meal, he took to grooming for the next couple of days in between naps. He got his very own toy mouse, the first mouse he didn’t have to eat to survive. Within a couple of weeks the scabs began to heal, the missing fur began to grow back, and he realized he didn’t have to worry about humans kicking him anymore. Bon Jovi realized that his favorite place to be is on his human’s lap, near the furnace vent, or resting in his bed watching cartoons on his very own TV. He loves short spurts of playtime, a zoomie or two, but seems to love resting or being close to his human even more than being hyper. He’s a natural with the litter box, doesn’t take to the furniture to scratch, and barely makes a peep. This is the easiest and most relaxed cat of all time. He also doesn’t mind being picked up and held, and absolutely LOVES to be brushed.
Bon Jovi has not been exposed to dogs, and has had minimal interaction with other cats. However, his foster mom believes that with proper gradual introductions, he would be perfectly fine with another cat sibling. Bon Jovi would prefer a quieter household, without young children, as he can get overstimulated on rare occasion. When he does, he communicates very clearly by meowing or giving body language before he gets defensive. His humans need to be able to read his communication, and give him space as needed, but most of the time he wants to be affectionate, loving, and resting close by or on their lap. He is approaching 3 years old and has no medical needs other than he likes to have dry food to graze through the day and loves to have wet food for breakfast and for dinner (due to his broken teeth).
Bon Jovi is a beautiful cat and named so because of his stunning hair like the real Bon Jovi!
If interest, please email Mirna at
[email protected]
614-471-9000
Must be 24 or older.
Adoptions to Central Ohio homes only.
All dogs and cats in the home must be spayed/neutered.
Adoption fee $100.00.
