I think Ive lost another four legged friend 
Ginger was an untamed wild cat that I have been trying to befriend and tame. He was about 5 years old.
In 2021, when he was about a year and a half, he started coming by, just drinking from the water bowl out the front. Eventually he began sleeping on verandah from time to time. I started feeding him occasionally when he was around. I didn’t plan on having another cat, but he looked like he needed feeding, and I figured if he was full, then less wildlife will get eaten. I’m pretty sure he was living in a drain a few hundred meters from where I live, and I had seen him hanging around that area from time to time. I am sure he didn’t have an owner or home.
He had been coming around nearly every day for food since 2024. I was able to pet and brush him when he permitted, and occasionally he let me pick him up and hold him for a few seconds. I started giving cooked chicken and other treats, which he loved, feeding him by hand. He was more gentle than my cat Moochy most of the time. My dog Buffy did chase him a couple of times when she slipped past me out the door, and I think that deterred him from hanging around more. He was such a calm cat and not at all nervous despite his rough life.
About 6 months ago, he came around with the side of his face swollen and marked. It appears he may have been clipped by a car, or someone possibly hurt him. I think he had damage to his teeth on that side, and possibly his nose. I tried to get him into a cat crate but he (for the first and only time) scratched and bit my hands, and didn’t come back for a few days. Thankfully he was okay, and despite a small sore on his mouth and the other damage, he was able to eat okay.
Since Buffy passed away he has been staying in and around my house for a few hours or more each day, especially when the weather was hot, or he is in the mood. I was able to sit with him and pat him, and he started making himself at home more and more. Even one day hopping up on the lounge to sit next to me, much to my surprise.
I started messaging cat rescue places and the RSPCA and AWL, trying to get him rescued to get the help he needed, but unfortunately they were all at capacity and weren’t able to help, except to give advice.
On the 3rd of January 2026, he came around with the wound on his mouth appearing noticeably worse and bigger, and infected again. It looks like he may have had a further injury to the area (a guess) or some complication from his damaged teeth. It was infected and he wasn’t very interested in eating much. I fed him a little by hand, but he did not eat much, and left soon after.
For the next few days, there was a run of hot weather with 40+ temperatures. Ginger didn’t come around at all, and I was worried. I searched around where he lived, asked people to look out for him, checked with the council, and put up signs, but there has been no sighting of him.
Its now been about 8 days of him being gone, and I’m trying to make peace that he has probably succumbed to his wound, in the hot weather 
Its breaking my heart – I hadn’t realised how much he had grown on me until I lost him. Moochy and I are both keeping an eye out, hoping he shows back up. But, if he was able, Im sure he would have come back by now.
I wish I had gotten help for him sooner. I miss him. 
