Need Help Introducing 6 Cats...

I was so touched to read what you wrote. I wish there were a lot more people like you and your husband in the world!

I think it is a big thing to start taking care of so many animals at the same house, and you may find it difficult to introdue all of them together. What I suggest you is to do the introduction slowly, and don't let them all hang around free at the same areas.

* Place your cats and dogs in a saparate room and the new tenants in a different room. At first, they need to get used to the smell of one another, so switch their food bowls and even toys.

* Then, place your pets in the room where the new tenants stay and the new tenants in your pet's room. That will help them adjust each other's smell.

* Then, when you and your husband are at home, place all cats together, but not all at once, so a fight won't start, and see how they react to one anothe. Don't leave them all in the same room until you are sure they can get along and don't hurt one another.

I wish you good luck with everything, and I don't think I will ever forget your story. I will be very happy if you will keep us all updated through this forum, and if you have any more questions, we are here for you!

danits_24,
Thank you so much for your advice and the link you provided me , I truly appreciate it. It's going to be a long hard road but I'm trying to stay positive! My hubby is half way to FL now and I just got off the phone with Animal Control and everything is good to go. All the cats have been examined, had rabies shots and been chipped, one of the cats had to be spayed. The animal control officer I spoke to was so wonderful, she told me how "awesome" it was that we were doing this and all of the staff are so grateful for us not giving up, I really needed to hear that because I have been so worried this a.m. Your post added to my positivity, so thank you!!! I have a separate area for the new arrivals but have to do some "rigging" to get it kitty/doggy proof from my current pets so hopefully I will get it to the point where they won't be able to interact until I think they are ready to do so....one at a time. I am putting them in a semi finished off basement, it's the most safe area of my house for them but there is no door to the area so I have a bit of work to do to barricade it off lol. I still am in a fog from all this, I just can't believe this happened and wish I could have done more for my friend. It gives both myself and my hubby some peace knowing that she chose us to take care of the most important things in her life. Thank you again and I will update asap!!

Sorry, missed the updates for this thread the last few days. Humane Societies can arrange transportation but it is a very, very difficult thing for them to do. There is a ton of coordination that has to be arrange by volunteers, most of them strangers to each other. It is best that your husband is picking them up and it sounds like you know the ropes having moved your 9 cats previously. A van is the way to go.

If you don't have a door to the basement and need a solution fast, look at either screen doors (the kind with the wooden frame) or bifold doors. If the opening to your basement is already a normal doorway size, then it will be easier for you. Don't get a screen door if the height of the opening is taller than the door or the cats will simply climb over it. If that's the case, get a bifold door. They mount on pivot hinges on the top and bottom. Nail a 2x4 across the opening to serve as the top header of the door then put the hinge into the 2x4. I hope this makes sense to you - we did that in an urgent situation one time. Your other options is to stack baby gates, but that becomes a real pain to go in and out.

Wow, I am so grateful for all of the responses I have received! I managed to get a bifold door for the opening to the basement. The other problem is there is another opening that my cats can use to jump down to the stairs. Kinda hard to explain but the stairwell isn't enclosed at the top either, there is a ledge which resembles a restaurant bar that my cats can jump on and then jump down to the stairs. I am trying to block that off by putting boxes on top. But on a good note, my hubby arrived in West Palm Beach safely and will be picking up the kitties tomorrow by 10 am. I spoke with an officer at animal control again today and when she heard our story she told me that she would make sure he can get the cats before they open in the morning, wonderful news. The microchipping/rabies vacs/exams of all and spaying of the one cat were all completed yesterday so everything is in place, phew! I still am extremely nervous over this, I hope my cats don't end up resenting me. Everyone is saying "it's just 6 cats" but to me it's a big deal, especially when I have my own that I love more then anything and would hate for something bad to happen. I know this happened for a reason so it has to all work out for the best. I got somewhat of a "sign" from my deceased friend the other night and that is also helping me out, hope that doesn't sound looney lol. Thanks again and I will keep post again soon to update everyone!

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
For those kittys!...

Hey stacy_s,
I am so glad to hear you are positive about everything and, of course,that my post helped you.
I can't wait to hear updates about the adjustment of the new cats...

Hi everyone, another quick update. My hubby is on his way home from FL, should arrive here with the cats at about 1 am. He left later then he wanted to because he was still tired from the long drive yesterday. Last I talked to him, the cats were sleeping and on occasion one or two will meow. He said they all look very good, not underweight or anything. I got the new cat room all blocked off as best as I could and even tested it with my cats and they could not get through. I will be sure to never leave them unattended nearby just in case. The room is full of toys, food, scratching posts, beds, and a feliway diffuser is plugged in so they should be so much more comfy then they have been the past few weeks. I know it's a bit too soon but I have started to consider rehoming 4 of them, just getting myself mentally prepared for that. Hopefully it will all work out. Thanks again everyone! I'll update again later or tomorrow.

Stacy - you're amazing, but I just wanted to mention that it might also be smart to be prepared for possible agitation among the new ones just because they're in a new place and not 'just' relating to each other, but to the smells in their new room (along with smells of your cats there). It's also a good idea, of course, to be sure there are lots of soft places for all to nap, etc. in there (like you haven't done enough :-).

Forgot to mention 1 thing about bifold doors. Cats are smart and will learn to reach their paws under it and pull to open them (or push from the other direction). You may need to find a way to put a latch on it that you can get to from both directions to secure it, or at least put it on the side where you enter/exit to secure the basement.

I have a bifold on my closet with a latch. The other day we forgot to lock it and found Koko asleep on top of the clothes. Where there's a will and a smart cat, there's a way.

Hi everyone! Hubby made it home safely at 1 a.m. with all the cats! They are in their room and are doing awesome! All of them want to be petted, even the ones that would never let me before when I would visit my friend. The only negative is that they are pretty thin but I'm sure after a week or so they will be back to normal. Some of them want out of that room though, I feel bad but I know it's in their best interest to stay put for now. My cats aren't even snooping around the new cats area, which surprises me. They did hear them meow and were a bit curious but that was about it lol. Well maybe that's a good sign. Thanks again for all of the words of encouragement and advice! I'll post more soon!

Momofmany - thank you for cautioning me about the bifold doors, they seem to be pretty cat proof but I will keep my eye on them and fix if need be. Thanks again!

What an angel you are

It sounds like things are going smoothly.
Please keep us updated.