If you are a computing student, or if you pass by COM1 very often, you probably have met the black cat Casper. This gentle soul was usually seen lying on the black couch or taking a stroll outside Makers. However, Casper’s peaceful life was disrupted by a troublemaker.
Tommy started appearing near Com1 area probably because he was attracted to the cat food dispensed by Casper’s auto-feeder. Unlike Casper, Tommy is very aggressive and territorial. And obviously Casper is no match for the muscular, big-sized, alpha-male Tommy. The feeders tried to ensure there was enough food for both cats in order to avoid any fighting, but to no avail.
Tommy looking fierce
Since Tommy’s arrival, the feeders frequently noticed small scratch wounds on Casper’s face and ears, indicating that they had been fighting with each other. The feeders even witness their fights on a few occasions, and were horrified by the degree of violence.
We believe that Tommy was so aggressive mainly because he was un-neutered. Intact male cats have a powerful testosterone driven urge that incites them to territorial spraying and fighting. That’s part of the reason that we carry out the Trap-Neuter-Return-Manage (TNRM) programme for the campus cats. After trying to establish Tommy’s behavioral pattern for weeks, we decided to trap him and send him for sterilisation on 8th October.
Tommy inside the trap
We decided to hire a professional to handle the trapping because Tommy’s alertness and aggressiveness make it impossible for us do it on our own. At around 6.30pm, Tommy was successfully lured into the pressure trap. We then sent him to the clinic for surgery. Two days later, Tommy was brought back to NUS and released.
Looking incredibly cute and vulnerable for the first time
After the surgery, ready for release!
Want to know what happened after Tommy's release? Stay tuned for Casper's story!