ELY – A cat rescued here has found a new home – and a job – at a store in Tower.
Blockhead is a fluffy cream-colored kitty who was abandoned by his former owners.
“We believe Blockhead belonged to renters who moved,” Gwen Derr, owner of Prairie Fire Tobacco Shop and Chapman Street Books, told the Timberjay. “When he showed up, he was an intact male. He got into fights, but he would run and hide from people and dogs.”
Without anyone to take care of him, Blockhead started going downhill.
“By last summer, he was getting really skinny,” Derr said. “He had goo in his eyes and guck in his ears. His fur was all matted. He just wasn’t doing well.”
Derr started feeding him in the alley behind the store. Then, she borrowed the live trap from the Ely Police Department. Blockhead was caught in the middle of October. Derr took him to the Ely Veterinary Clinic, where they fixed the many things that ailed the homeless cat.
His treatment came with significant vet bills.
“He was treated for a parasite infection,” Derr said. “He was fixed, and he got all his shots. He needed a lot of care. But he was a real cuddle bug once he settled in.”
Word got out around, and people showed up to help with the vet bills.
“Folks really came through. Some gave me money directly. An anonymous donor put $80 with a note through my mail slot in the door. The community stepped up and really helped out,” Derr said.
But Derr couldn’t keep the cat because he didn’t get along with fellow shop cat Simon.
“They fought all the time,” Derr said. She started looking for a new home for Blockhead.
Julie Petrzilka from Rick’s Relic’s in Tower contacted Derr about the cat.
“Julie was in the market for a shop cat. She retired the store’s previous cat, Sasha, a few years before,” Kenzie Spain, who works at the Tower business, said.
Blockhead, now renamed Mr. B, moved into his new home on Jan. 6.
“It took about a week for Mr. B to warm up to us,” Spain said. “Then he came out of his shell. Ever since then, he’s been a friendly, loving cat.”
Mr. B is available for scratches and adoration during normal business hours at Rick’s Relics, 405 Main St., in Tower.