My new house comes with a permanent fixture

Hi all The lady who we are swapping houses with has asked me if I would take her cat Harvey as he was her husbands cat and they have split up and she is not a cat personalso she said she didn't think he would take too kindly to the move. I saw him when we went to look at the house, he is white with brown and ginger small markings, a really long tail and extremely affectionate. He is approx 8 she thinks. She said if I didn't want him she would ring the local shelter, I do not think so, how can I say no. At the minute he is unfixed and a complete outdoor cat, she said she only sees him once or twice a day.
I have told her to get him fixed and health checked, which she is organising and also I hope to make him an indoor kitty, I think he will be alot better when he is fixed and also not want to go outdoors. Trust me to find a house with a live in kitty, I certainly have my work cut out by converting him and getting him to love my kitties and vice versa but hey, whats one more. Hubby suprisingly is ok about it, I think because he wants the house so much Unfortunately the kitty that adopted me a few weeks back I had to re-home to a couple that lost their kitty not long ago as he just did not get on with my cats and he will be an only indoor kitty with these people, I miss Felix but he will be better off and also I am now in a position to take Harvey and help him. I have beenall over the place recently so haven't been on much. I am looking forward to moving and meeting Harvey properely though, I will post some pics of him when that happens. x

You do have your work cut out for you! But maybe you can "just" foster Harvey too. But I can't stop chuckling over that one - trust a member of TCS to find a home that comes with a cat!

Just noticed my M in my in the title hasn't worked I know, it is just mad and like fate really. Since I have joined TCS my life has become so much more kittified, I don't mind though and I cannot wait to get to know Harvey. x

That's so good of you to bring Harvey into your family. I'm sure once he is neutered, he will calm down a lot and hopefully not want to go outside. Good luck on your move.

WOW!!! Harvey is a great fixture to your new home!!! You couldn't ask for anything better

How lucky are you?!?! To find a house, complete with cat! I'm jealous!!!!

Originally Posted by spudsmom

How lucky are you?!?! To find a house, complete with cat! I'm jealous!!!!

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so will that be 7 cats edit, sorry i didnt read about felix so just potentially 6 then

Originally Posted by -_aj_-

so will that be 7 cats

edit, sorry i didnt read about felix

so just potentially 6 then

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It's a shame about Felix but he is better off I think and he will get spoilt more as an only cat. The kids really miss him though :-( He started off getting on really well with our other cats but Candy got terribly upset and I could just tell she was distressed at having him around. I think because he was young he was just too much. Candy I am pleased to say is back to normal now, I don't think Harvey will be too much of a problem as he is older. x

As the owner of 2 outdoor cats, can I ask why you want to turn Harvey into an indoor cat? If he's staying in the same location/house and he's used to roaming outside, then it seems cruel to me to try curb his outdoor life (especially if he's been used to doing that for many of his 8 years).

I couldn't imagine trying to keep my 2 guys in, now that they know all the exciting things that lay outside the window.

At night when I get them in for bed, if they haven't had enough time hunting, it's stressful for both me and them to see them whine and pace along the door, dropping me hints to open up again.

Harvey couldn't get any luckier than to have met up with you! Imagine being stuck with a probably bitter ex who didn't like cats to begin with and was considering ringing the pound? I'm so glad the two of you were brought together!

Sounds like a match made in heaven!

Since he has been roaming outside all these years, intact, be sure to have him tested for FeLV/FIV before attempting any introductions.

Or ask the other lady to have it done when she has him neutered.

Keep us posted!

Yes she is having him completely tested and health checked when he is fixed. I am unsure what to do about the indoor/outdoor situation, am I cruel wanting him indoors, thats a harsh thing to be called? from what I can gather now she hardly ever sees him. Its not a busy road but a bus route so busy enough and my friend recently lost her cat to a bus hitting her cat, if I get attatched to a cat I want to kow I make them safe. I don't even know Harvey yet, I will assess the situation when I get there. I really think getting him fixed will curb his wandering and he may want to stay indoors more. My cats are indoor but they do come into the garden with me when I am out there and come in again when I come in, they are too lazy to wander x