Adding a cat to a feral's home

Hello again, the last time I visited this site, I was trying to find out how to tame a feral cat. It took months, but with all the good advice (closing her in one room, although tough on me, worked wonderfully) she has taken to my home - it is now hers. She is somewhat whinny though - she has gone from being the most aggressive cat I have ever encountered to the suckiest.

I am now about to introduce a new male cat into the household. Mine is said to be between 3 and 7 years old, and the new one is 2. Should I follow the guidlines for introducing new cats to the house? i.e. close the new one in a room and do the towel under the door thing? I'd really like these two to get along. Can I let them meet each other face to face right away - even if just to see how they fare? I'm hoping some multi-cat owners might know just what to do.

It might take a week, it might take months but you HAVE to introduce them slowly. Keep them separated for a few days (the towel under the door is a good idea but not for a day or so). Feliway will help.

The new cat has been vetted, right? Having him in separate room is essential for just that reason. And even if he's been vetted, he may have germs your cats hasn't met yet and vice versa, so another reason they will need to get used to each other slowly.

I'm sure someone with more experience will have specifics. Good luck and bless you!

This is the best thread on the site to explain how to introduce cats to each other:

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67321

There are two people actively introducing a new feral kitty to their existing cats. These are the threads -

"Trapping for a Second Time" - killerapple - http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=206271 (skip to the last few pages. The beginning is about re-trapping her and socializing her. Once she's gotten the all-clear from the vet, they put up a screen door and began introductions. That's what you want to get to.

"Taming a feral 2 year old kitty boy" - LoveWhiskers - http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=210849 ...again, intros are near the end of the thread.

The speed of the introduction entirely depends upon how your resident cat reacts - and, as Ondine has pointed out - what kind of treatments and isolation time the new cat will require.

Thanks to everyone, I especially enjoyed reading the suggested threads. Looks like the "Batman and Patches" story is just what I am aiming for.

The woman who wants to adopt out her cat "Shultz" a lovely little black cat called today to say that someone else was "first in line" for him. But she will call me on Friday to let me know if she likes him for her cat. I guess I might be back to looking for one soon. Poor little "Shulzzy" (present owner's pronounciation) his future home is still up in the air. I couldn't jump in and say that I would take him before Saturday, because I have to prepare the room for him (or whatever cat I end up finding).

I think I understand most of the process now. Smell before sight and lots and lots of patience and observation. So, nothing is settled, maybe I'll set up the room as "cat hotel" anyway (I have to put something climbable and tall in front of the only window in the room). I know that if I actively keep looking I will find the perfect cat companion for "Bradley" really soon. (Bradley was mis-named by me because of an error about gender by the pound - believe it or not!)

I'll post what happens on Friday. The present owner asked if she could call me after 10 at night so it might be late.

Ok, she called me earlier today to say that she has decided that Shultz would be all alone if she gave him to the guy who was supposed to go to see him tonight. I hope this is all on the up and up and clear and simple, because I hate "people problems", they are always so pointless and unnecessary.

Anyway, she will call me at noon tomorrow and we will arrange either pick up or delivery of Shultz. I remembered to ask her to bring some familiar things for him as well as his litterbox. I'm posting a new thread with a question about this.

This is going to be an interesting few weeks. I think I have everything all ready. Will try to keep you posted, but things might get hectic.

No show. This IS some sort of game the present owner is playing, I just hope Shultz is ok. She has moved from the location given in the ad (which is close) and keeps calling me from about 50 miles away.

The phone keeps going dead when we are talking and she keeps calling me back. We spoke yesterday and she said she would bring him around at noon today. She called this morning and said the weather was bad (it's snowing) how is it here, I told her it was fine here, especially where the roads had already been cleared. She started saying pardon, pardon, your breaking up and the phone went dead again. I called back got the answering machine and left a message.

I'm actively looking for another cat now. I think I will be hanging up the phone if she calls again, but I do feel badly for Shultz, hope he is ok.

Had she asked you for money up front? Perhaps this is an attempted scam and there is really no cat.

At least that way, there would be no cat to suffer through stupid people's shenanigans. Good luck in finding a kitty. Lord knows there are plenty who need homes, waiting in the shelters.

Originally Posted by Ondine

Had she asked you for money up front? Perhaps this is an attempted scam and there is really no cat.

At least that way, there would be no cat to suffer through stupid people's shenanigans. Good luck in finding a kitty. Lord knows there are plenty who need homes, waiting in the shelters.

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Thank you very much Ondine, I'm feeling very alone about all of this right now, your email was very reassuring.

No, she didn't ask for any money - the cat was listed as free.

I'm remembering things about our conversations, like the fact that she reacted badly when I asked if he came with a litter pan, saying she could bring a litter pan. She was also unhappy when I suggested she bring a few of his cat toys with him, saying that she was going to give me his cage with him. Then I explained about the 'familiarity' thing and she just said alright.
I think that woman has a real problem, it is or would be unfortunate if any little animal suffered, I shall reserve all of my sympathy for them.

I have responded to some other ads. Including a 'Rescue' orgainization, I don't expect to hear back until Monday though.

I'm guessing there is no cat. Sure hope not, anyway - but doesn't sound like it.

You are welcome. Sometimes, it is just so hard to figure people out. That's why I like cats better! They have their quirks but most of the time, I understand them.