Stray or pet?

Well, guys, we have a new addition who's been showing up at our house for the past month or so...a very pretty gray/black tabby. I haven't been able to examine the cat too closely, but it's definitely NOT an unaltered male. I'm going with female for now.

My downstairs neighbor first noticed her in mid-December and I saw her not too long after. She's relatively friendly as long as we take it slow. I haven't taken action on her since she only shows up sporadically. Friday was the first time I'd seen her since New Year's Day. She looks healthy, good weight, clear eyes, shiny fur, so my first thought is that she's someone's indoor/outdoor cat. Personally, I wouldn't let my cats outside in this neighborhood, since the streets are pretty busy. I've been putting out food when I see her, but she only eats a little before she walks away. Obviously, she's getting her meals elsewhere.


Like I said, there's a good chance that this is someone's pet, but I need to find out for sure. I've been trying to get her to come inside, so I can get a breakaway collar with a note on her for the owner to call me. She'll come inside, but panics when the door closes, so looks I'll need to earn her trust. If that doesn't work, will get a few pics and make some flyers to pass around the neighborhood. My main concern at this point is assuring the cat is fixed. She shouldn't be roaming the neighborhood if she's not. If it's a case where the owner can't afford to have her spayed, I can point them in the direction of some low cost spay/neuter options. Any cat that comes on our property is going to get fixed, so if I can't find the owner in a reasonable amount of time, will get her to the vet myself.

If anyone has any other ideas, I'm open to them, but that seems like my best course of action for now. Thanks!

Is she eating when inside? How much of a risk is it to leave the door open - then your other kitties can get out? Or you have a porch or hall or something separating the space? Because my first thought is to slip the collar with note on her while she's eating with the door open, but I don't know if that's an option.

Or what about feeding her when she's by - but right outside the door? Maybe you can slip one on her then.

You may have to end up resorting to the old-fashioned method - take her pic and put some posters up. All our kitties belly crawl when they've got collars on and act like we just put a 2 ton weight around their necks!



Laurie

Originally Posted by LDG

Is she eating when inside? How much of a risk is it to leave the door open - then your other kitties can get out? Or you have a porch or hall or something separating the space? Because my first thought is to slip the collar with note on her while she's eating with the door open, but I don't know if that's an option.

Or what about feeding her when she's by - but right outside the door? Maybe you can slip one on her then.

You may have to end up resorting to the old-fashioned method - take her pic and put some posters up. All our kitties belly crawl when they've got collars on and act like we just put a 2 ton weight around their necks!

Laurie

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I do have an entryway that can be closed off so the front door can remain open and the other cats can't get out. It's really a matter of timing, since she doesn't show up regularly. I've tried putting the collar on her when she's eating outside, but no luck. That makes her too nervous and she runs off. We actually had her inside my neighbor's apartment this morning, closed off in the kitchen, but she hissed when I tried getting close with the collar. Even tried being sneaky when she was eating. I think you're right that I'll have to resort to posters.

Thanks, Laurie!

Good luck!

Laurie