Stray help -- guidance?

If Sabine is ear tipped and you've known her for five months and she's still not pregnant, you're likely dealing with a spay cat. If unsure of that, have them check her before opening her up yet again. No matter how routine, a spay is still surgery and something you'd have to keep her inside after.


Make sure Lola gets her vaccinations before letting them interact at all. After that it's up to you if you want Sabine inside any - if you do you must follow proper cat introductions. But be aware adult female cats can be big pains in the butt about this..

To litter train Sabine, you'd have to have her in a smaller room with her litter box (or preferable two). You may have to start by adding dirt or some leaves on top of the litter for a while until she figures out what the box is for. There's also cat attract litter and the additive to help aid you.

Get some feliway diffusers for the home, and some bachs rescue remedy for Sabine.

Your other option, if you have a yard, is to build a large enclosure or cat proof an existing fence for both Sabine and Saylor to live in. This way they would have protection, wouldn't be running the neighborhood, and you'd always know where they were.

We had a similar problem when we were new to kitties. We had a stray kitty that was spayed, and she used to like to come inside when there was bad weather, but when we adopted the kittens, it became a problem.

She was so friendly to people, but not other cats, so we worked to find her a new home where she would become an indoor only kitty.

However, as you know she's spayed, you can provide an outdoor shelter for Sabine, and keep her as an outdoor kitty.

Though it's a bad time of year for foster networks, you can conduct an e-mail campaign to see if there's a foster network that has room and can take her. The best way to do this is at Petfinder: http://www.petfinder.com.

Just search on "cat" and type in your zip code. Each cat up for adoption has an organization listed next to it - each organization has a link to information about it. Scroll through the pages, writing down the e-mail contact information of any org that seems to fit your requirements. Most people use a personal address for contact, so write down the e-mail address and the name of the org associated with it in case anyone replies - that way you'll know which organization you're dealing with.

The other option is to save up the funds you'll need to get her to the vet to have her tests done and get her treated for internal and external parasites - and bring her inside, confining her to one room. Cat introductions take some time - they are territorial, and it takes them a while to adjust to sharing. When a cat that has been living outside comes in, having a small territory (just one room) works best. They can be litter box trained best that way, and it gives them time to make the space their "safe space," and adjust to the new routines &etc.

There are other things I'd suggest if you're going to bring her in - just ask if that's a route you choose to take.

for caring!

One last thought - you don't have to get her into a carrier. You can use a trap - most vets or shelters will lend or rent you one.

She is peeing instinctively. The home she is used to doesn't smell like hers anymore. There is an intruder afoot and her peeing adjusts the balance of the home to her liking. It is also oftentimes a warning to the other cat, telling him or her that she was here first and considers herself "top dog." To penalize her for acting instinctively is counter-productive. It may unleash a whole tide of unwanted behavior because you have upset her routine.

If you have a cat door, then you need to block it because if the kitten gets out, then you will have a real problem. Don't expect strays to provide you with what you want or need. Instead, embrace them for who they are, individual kitties shaped by life's experiences. It could very well be that one day Lola will decide she is no longer happy indoors and want outside, it has happened. I would also suggest you limit yourself to just these three kitties for the future or otherwise you will have a major pee war occuring.