The folks at Fat Kitty City had a couple of ideas for my next foster assignment, but Rip was the one who felt right. Only two weeks ago he was on the streets of San Francisco, where coyotes have killed and carried away many cats. My job as foster will be to let him feel relaxed and safe while his personality emerges, which will make it easier to match him with an adopter and his forever home. The sanctuary’s guess is he’s two or three years old.

But despite Rip’s rough life of late, it’s clear that at some point he’s been around people. After a day and a half with me he spends most of his time under the bed, but when he comes out he loves head- and back-scratches, and if I pull my hand away, he finds it again. Here he is, only about eight hours after arriving at my place.

Rip is a Bengal, and I confess to not knowing a thing about the breed before yesterday. His distinctive leopard-like markings are obvious. Bengals are known to be playful, energetic and curious. They also like high places; Rip found a shelf to hang out in for a while.

And still on the first day, he let me pick him up for a selfie!

Stay tuned for more updates!

Inquiries about adoption should be directed to:

Fat Kitty City
El Dorado Hills, CA
www.fatkittycity.org
916-939-3418