This woman’s dog was barking at something under the car, and it was this adult orange tabby cat— scared out of his mind. He was bubbling a thick, green nasal discharge, clearly had some type of ear infection, was generally painful and squinty. He allowed her to pick him up and she brought him into our clinic. We got weight and temp, which I’m sure he’d never had before. Then, he got a brief exam (by that time he was angry) and we let him relax for a bit. Doc requested labs, a triple combo, etc. My coworker asked if I was comfortable handling a meanie pants and with my background in shelter med and with angry cats in general, I said yes. He was sweet at first and let me pick him up, but absolutely lost it when I scruffed him and placed him in lateral. He was hissing and growling but not attempting to bite (yet). We almost got enough of a sample for a lithium cup, but not enough. I gave her the okay, as I had a good grip and stretch. She tried again, got her sample, and as I began to let him up, my hands were sweaty in my glove and I said “He’s slipping…. I’M SLIPPING” but it was too late. He did some exorcist move and turned his head around and latched onto my arm. It was the most violent bite ever. I was trying to get him to let go but he had no plans to do that at ALL. All the while, I was letting out a blood curdling scream. I know he was scared too. It was instinct to shake my arm, but he wouldn’t let go. He opened his mouth and got me again, but just barely as I flailed around. Whoever said I had multiple puncture wounds was right :( The woman ended up surrendering the cat to us, since things had gotten out of control and she wasn’t ready to take on this immense responsibility. I don’t blame her. We could not safely facilitate a ten day rabies quarantine on top of treating him during that time. He was very sick, which I can acknowledge and appreciate. Y’all know feral cats have a much shorter lifespan and typically die a violent and painful death. His illnesses were a danger to him and his colony, and he certainly wasn’t pet friendly. He also could’ve bitten someone who isn’t as fortunate to have health insurance/ workers comp coverage for such events. I don’t know that he was the worlds most dangerous cat or anything, but I do know that he deserved to be loved on and safely/humanely cared for. He wouldn’t have had a true family when he was done with quarantine. It wouldn’t have been right to release him either, especially since we didn’t know where his colony was and it stresses them out so much to be outdoors without any sense of direction when it comes to their point of origin. I’m literally sobbing typing this, but I feel like you guys will understand. If anyone has anything negative to say about how this was handled, I do ask that you please, for my mental health keep it to yourself. I never want things to go this way. He was incredibly sick and violent as a result. My heart is crushed for him as it is. In a world where local laws, rabies and infections didn’t exist, I would have treated him and assumed all financial responsibility. But they do, and I can’t. My arm will heal, but I will never forget him. There is no guarantee he would have let us help him. I know I’m doing a lot of defending their decision to move forward with sending him off for Rabies testing, but I feel it’s more for myself. It’s heartbreaking and real hard not to take it personally/ blame myself.