Atticus was born on the fringe of a housing development in rural Solon. He was sighted this fall at the edge of the woods, teaching two young kittens how to hunt squirrels.

This is extremely unusual behavior for a tomcat. So unusual that his rescuer naturally assumed Atticus was a large-boned female—at first—until she saw him from the rear. (Introduction to Prey 101, followed by Hunting 201-202 are normally taught to kittens by mom cats, long after her mate has disappeared.)

When she saw the hunting party the next day, they nearly bagged a cardinal who had been at the bird feeder. She wanted to maintain her yard as a safe haven for wildlife, and she already had enough indoor cats. She lured the cats to the side yard with canned food and fed them there in a pet taxi, away from the feeder.

It only took a few days for the three cats to think nothing about crowding into the pet taxi for meals. She caught the two kittens first. Predictably, they freaked out once the door closed on them.

Atticus wasn’t visible, but she felt he was watching. She wanted him to know that the kittens would not be hurt and that if he let her capture him, the three of them would be together again.

So she crooned to the frightened kittens to calm them down and hoped that Atticus was listening.

A few days later, Atticus stepped into the pet taxi that was scented with a towel the kittens had slept on and baited with sardines. When he began to eat, his rescuer closed the door. He was startled, but he didn’t go ballistic. She dropped him off that afternoon at the vet to be neutered.

Like the kittens, Atticus had never been touched, but his rescuer sensed that although he was an adult, he had the potential to be tamed. And she was right.

His size makes him look intimidating—the big jowls and thick neck (both secondary sex characteristics of the unneutered male)—there is a sweet gentleness about him. He is the rare, nurturing male.

Very patient with other cats, Atticus is competent without being competitive. He's a quick study, and he had to learn all sorts of things about becoming an indoor cat, ranging from litterboxing to chomp inhibition. It was fascinating to watch him as he began to understand toys. He loves them now and is an entertainment connoisseur!

His sons, Jem and Scout, mean the world to him, so all three boys will be placed together. These are active, yet gentle cats who’d like a quiet home where they can watch birds and study wildlife ecology when they’re not playing soccer with a found object.

Atticus likes—to cuddle; his sons; meet new people; wand toys; most other cats; mealtime; playing hockey; bird watching; reading; going through the motions of eviscerating his catnip mice

He dislikes—being teased; loud noises and chaos; being away from his boys

Atticus’s Characteristics

—not much

—somewhat

—quite a bit

—very much!

 

Confidence—	Adaptable to change—
Plays well with others—	Activity level—
General Temperament—Outgoing and cheerful