Friendly Stray Advice

Hi everyone,

There is a very friendly stay cat hanging around and for the past month or so I've been feeding him. I'm beginning to feel bad when I walk inside my home to my two cats and leave him out there.

What is the best thing to do for this cat? He's been around here for at least two years and my next door neighbor feeds him also. She's either pregnant or fat. I don't know the gender.

Should I let him be? Take him to a shelter? Take him in? I've got two inside cats of my own. Would there be health risks? I kinda don't want another cat right now.

Please give me your thoughts on this. Thanks!!

Rob

As long as she is safe and happy, you could continue to do like you are doing if you just cannot bring her in. Trapping and vetting her would be a very good thing if she is pregnant, the vet might give you a break on spaying if you explain the situation to him, or maybe you and your neighbor could go in on spaying her. If you do that, you will at least know she is healthy, and maybe one of you would be more apt to take her in as your own. Good luck and please keep us posted. I am sure there will be some others that will be along with advice as well.

If you can pick her up and put her in a carrier or trap her than it would be a good idea. If she/he can get spayed/neutered and then checked it would be good for the cat. Maybe vaccines too since the cat is outdoors. You could keep the cat as your outside cat if you don't want to bring the cat in. Some of us over here(in the rescue section) even buy or build cat shelters. Maybe then cat will stick to your yard and be ok. In the winter there are even heaters you can put in there.

If that is not an option and you are strongly opposed to taking him/her in then perhaps a chance at being adopted would be best.
I am in a similar predicament. I love Lucia my stray but no way can I have 6 cats and no way would my Alpha girl accept another Alpha girl.

I think a friendly stray deserves a furever home because they can get along with people.
Good luck.

Thanks, you guys. Sorry it took so long for me to reply.

I don't think it will be difficult to trap this cat as I can pick him up and pet him and he just sits there and loves it! He continuously rolls over on his back while I'm petting him on the ground. Extremely friendly little guy.

I will be getting him to a vet soon and I'm sure when winter gets around he'll either be inside with me or have his own setup. I couldn't just let him stay out in the cold.

I have a few concerns about health issues and my two inside cats.

Both of my inside cats have all their vaccines, etc. If I am just outside petting this stray how worried do I need to be about not touching my cats afterwards? I usually wash my hands after I'm finished petting him before I touch my two cats but there have been a couple of times where I didn't. Should I be worried about infectious disease spreading to my cats?

The stray now sits outside of my door and waits for me to come home, leave, etc. He's an awesome little guy. Please advise and thanks again for any help!!

I always wash my hands and there is a small risk of spreading something but since your cats are vaccinated and healthy I would not fret too much about a few times. Especially if they are adult cats.