After evading capture and losing his vision، the feral cat named Ham transforms into a fully domesticated housecat

After evading capture and losing his vision، the feral cat named Ham transforms into a fully domesticated house cat

A four-month-old kitten، Ham، or Ham Sandwich، earned his name because he refused to be caught by TNR (trap، neuter، release) rescuers. Instead، he hung out near the trap، rolling around and showing off like…a ham. Unfortunately، Ham didn’t know that being caught would have been the best thing possible for him at the time.

Brooklyn rescuer Dana wanted so badly to catch Ham when he was a wily kitten. But at the time، they had to prioritize catching numerous younger struggling kittens who could be spared from a tough life on the streets. It was kitten season in the Big City، and thousands of kittens may need round-the-clock care. Rescuers have to triage because there are just too many cats that need help.

“As rescuers، we need to acknowledge our limits and prioritize how to utilize our capacity،” she explained.

Ham acts like a ham under a car while rescuers tried to catch him in Brooklyn. Images and media via Instagram/danaandthecats

But Dana never forgot about Ham، the elusive one that got away.

“We had to made the tough call to add Ham to the TNR list and come back for him at a later date،” Dana explained.

In the meantime، a colony caretaker kept her eye out for Ham، an occasional visitor.

Ham Returns with Swollen Eyes

Ham managed to get by as a feral kitty for two years، but things suddenly took a turn for the worse. His eyes became cloudy، swollen، and bulging، and he would likely not have made it much longer.

What If?

It happened in just two weeks، but they didn’t know how. He required immediate medical attention، and they tried to catch him once more.

“Thankfully، this time، he was ready،” Dana said as a weakened Ham entered the TNR trap for a meal.