Cat ready to start another life

By CARRIE RITCHIE
Published July 27, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Times photo: Lance Aram Rothstein] Caesar was turned in to the Humane Society June 27 with a collar embedded in its neck. It has since been surgically removed. » Fast Facts To adopt Caesar Visit the Humane Society of Pasco County, 14949 Harmon Drive, Shady Hills, or call (727) 856-6762.

Caesar, the cat that recently won a battle for his life, is still looking for a good home.

The tomcat had an embedded collar removed in late June and is gaining weight and getting healthier every day, said Colleen King, a Humane Society of Pasco County volunteer who found him on her porch one Saturday in June.

Humane Society workers believe he wore the collar as a kitten and then got separated from his family, so no one checked it or removed it. As he grew, his neck grew around the collar. It was simultaneously choking and starving him to death. The Humane Society estimated he's between 3 and 5 years old, so he may have suffered for years.

Someone had expressed interest in adopting him, King said, but his prospective parent withdrew the offer because of a hectic traveling schedule. So Caesar is waiting patiently at the Humane Society for a new love to come along.

King said the cat is neutered and would make a wonderful pet.

"He's a lovable kitty," King said. "He just needs to be in a nice surrounding where people have time to give him attention."

Carrie Ritchie can be reached at critchie@sptimes.com.

[Last modified July 26, 2007, 23:01:40]