Despite his name, Hobo the cat now has a permanent home.Hobo, a stray orange tabby with an infected left front paw was recently caught by the Kitty Cat P.A.L. Society, a non-profit organization who trap, neuter/spay and return feral cats living in managed colonies in the Comox Valley. Following his capture on March 17, Hobo received amputation surgery. During surgery, the veterinarian discovered that Hobo was not neutered, had several healed puncture wounds as well as tooth fractures and roots exposed, including both top canine teeth sheared off at the gum line, likely from a crush trauma such as being run over by a vehicle, said Larissa Whitby, vice president in charge of ferals and founding director of the society.Hobo's surgeries were paid by the Ruby Fund, she explained, a fund used for urgent medical needs such as amputation surgery, removal of an infected eye, soft tissue repair and intravenous fluids for recovery from serious illness, so that urgent needs can be met immediately.The Ruby Fund began in early 2010 to collect donations for Ruby, a kitten who needed costly surgery to remove her eye. Ruby was one of three kittens who arrived with infections beyond the help of antibiotics alone. With generosity from the public, funds slowly mounted for her surgery. Whitby said Hobo has come out of his recovery crate on his own and is lounging on the heated bathroom floor of his new indoor home."He is enjoying the touch of his new mom and is allowing her to do some craniosacral therapy as well," she added.To help Hobo and other cats like him, donations can be made through the society's website, www.kittycatpals.com, or visit one of the Adopt-a-Pal locations at the Driftwood Mall every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or Sundays at Woofys in Courtenay from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.Indicate Ruby Fund with the donation.photos@comoxvalleyrecord.com