...Gus (maybe...)!
You can read about Gus at this tread: http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...=202842&page=2
As of 2 hours ago, he is living in our staircase. I took him inside where his food, water, litter, bed, and a few toys were already. He started eating (this little guy seems to be hungry) and purred lounder than ever before. He was clearly happy to be inside. I stayed with him for about 15 minutes, petting him and trying to get him familiar with the space. And then I left him. And the meowing began. Poor thing is lonely down there.
OK...so I started posting this a bit earlier and then got sidetracked, but left the window open. Since I started the story has changed:
I got an email back from the people who owns this little guy. They said their address in the email, so I went by myself to walk by their house (actually only 2 doors down). Seemed well enough, so I went back and got the kitty to bring him home. I carried him in my arms. He was fine until I got near his house, and then he scratched me and jumped down. He wouldn't even get close to the house. I knocked on the door anyway, and a man answered. Meanwhile, there was lots of noise from kids and a large dog barking. I said his cat was back and underneath his truck. He could have cared less. He said that the cat had suddenly decided he wanted to be an outdoor kitty and bolted out the door whenever it opened. Funny, because here, all he does is bolt IN doors. He basically implied that he was a big pain in the butt and said that, if he ended up at our house, so be it. WELL, SO BE IT! Gus is back in the stairwell, after a lot of coaxing with some good ol' Friskies.
This cat is VERY skiddish outside. He doesn't like loud noises, and all I've seen him do is hide under bushes, cars, etc. He wasn't absolutely anxious to get outside, he just wants attention! He is perfectly happy just to jump up in a lap and sleep. I think he didn't like the house, for whatever reason. Also interesting....he originally ate like he had never seen food. Now that he has a bowl full, he ate until I assume he was full and left the rest in his bowl for later. This doesn't sound like a cat who has been "coming home for meals."
Here's where I could use some advice: After two days of notes of collars and no one claiming him, I brought him in pretty much assuming that he would join our household. I made him a vet appointment for Saturday, figuring if he had owners, they would surely notice his absence by then. Well, now I've found the owners and they couldn't care less about him. I didn't really talk to the guy too long...his indifference about his pet just irritated me enough.
Do you think I'm safe to push up his vet appointment so that I can attempt an introduction into the household a little sooner than planned? I'd like to call tomorrow to see if they have anything open, as I'm in workshops all day Wednesday and Thursday.
Although I think he's neutered, I'm not sure if he's vaccinated or treated for fleas. How will the vet handle this? Will he just revaccinate him anyway? I have some revolution at home, but now I'm reluctant to put it on him in case he's already been treated with something. He's not infested or anything, and I did treat Belle and Delilah.
I will be going back down to see him in an hour or two and I'll take more pictures. He really is a good looking cat and sweet as can be!
You can read about Gus at this tread: http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...=202842&page=2
As of 2 hours ago, he is living in our staircase. I took him inside where his food, water, litter, bed, and a few toys were already. He started eating (this little guy seems to be hungry) and purred lounder than ever before. He was clearly happy to be inside. I stayed with him for about 15 minutes, petting him and trying to get him familiar with the space. And then I left him. And the meowing began. Poor thing is lonely down there.
OK...so I started posting this a bit earlier and then got sidetracked, but left the window open. Since I started the story has changed:
I got an email back from the people who owns this little guy. They said their address in the email, so I went by myself to walk by their house (actually only 2 doors down). Seemed well enough, so I went back and got the kitty to bring him home. I carried him in my arms. He was fine until I got near his house, and then he scratched me and jumped down. He wouldn't even get close to the house. I knocked on the door anyway, and a man answered. Meanwhile, there was lots of noise from kids and a large dog barking. I said his cat was back and underneath his truck. He could have cared less. He said that the cat had suddenly decided he wanted to be an outdoor kitty and bolted out the door whenever it opened. Funny, because here, all he does is bolt IN doors. He basically implied that he was a big pain in the butt and said that, if he ended up at our house, so be it. WELL, SO BE IT! Gus is back in the stairwell, after a lot of coaxing with some good ol' Friskies.
This cat is VERY skiddish outside. He doesn't like loud noises, and all I've seen him do is hide under bushes, cars, etc. He wasn't absolutely anxious to get outside, he just wants attention! He is perfectly happy just to jump up in a lap and sleep. I think he didn't like the house, for whatever reason. Also interesting....he originally ate like he had never seen food. Now that he has a bowl full, he ate until I assume he was full and left the rest in his bowl for later. This doesn't sound like a cat who has been "coming home for meals."
Here's where I could use some advice: After two days of notes of collars and no one claiming him, I brought him in pretty much assuming that he would join our household. I made him a vet appointment for Saturday, figuring if he had owners, they would surely notice his absence by then. Well, now I've found the owners and they couldn't care less about him. I didn't really talk to the guy too long...his indifference about his pet just irritated me enough.
Do you think I'm safe to push up his vet appointment so that I can attempt an introduction into the household a little sooner than planned? I'd like to call tomorrow to see if they have anything open, as I'm in workshops all day Wednesday and Thursday.
Although I think he's neutered, I'm not sure if he's vaccinated or treated for fleas. How will the vet handle this? Will he just revaccinate him anyway? I have some revolution at home, but now I'm reluctant to put it on him in case he's already been treated with something. He's not infested or anything, and I did treat Belle and Delilah.
I will be going back down to see him in an hour or two and I'll take more pictures. He really is a good looking cat and sweet as can be!