update on the orange and white stray on my fire escape

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/238388/...eed-a-stray-or-just-an-indoor-outdoor-with-id

Above was my first post about him. I'm calling him Elliott. Anyhow, my downstairs neighbor was going to foster him for me since I really don't have the space but here's how that got messed up: first, her BF let her cat out and they got into a fight. Simon (her cat) had been chasing him around like mad, so Elliott bit him, pretty hard too. Second, she tried to grab Elliott to bring him in to her apt. and she got bit. He's never bit me (except little love nips). My roommate is moving out in January and I'm going to use that room as Elliott's quarantine room. I was going to foster him until March and if no one wanted him by then I was going to release him to the APL (they only euthanize un-adoptables and terminal ones). Yesterday though, the intake receptionist said that if he had a bite history, they wouldn't adopt him, they'd only euthanize him. And I don't want that. He's not completely feral. He's more semi-feral. I told them about the bite incidents so they could find him someone that knows how to deal with rescue cats, not someone that was inexperienced and just wanted a nice and predictable cat with no troublesome past.

So I have a few questions: since knowing him, he's bitten my neighbor (although IMO she's a lot less gentle with her animals than I think she should be) and her cat. These incidents happened separately. Is it even possible for me to re-socialize him? Is it safe to let him meet MY cats or should I keep him quarantined even after he checks out? Is is safe to try and find him a home (for that person)?

My newest cat, Quinne probably would have been euthanized had her foster parents taken her to the APL. Yeah she's scrappy and yes she scratches and bites and gets too rough when playing, but she is sweet and she seems to be happy here.

What's the chances of being able to find a home for a second-chance kitty? I love him dearly but I can't keep him.. But to foster him and get him used to nice people, then just give him to the APL so they can put him down, is terrible.

How was it, these biting incidentes of cat and fosterer.

Are these two ENTIRELY separate happenings, or did he bite her just after the chase and cat fighting?

Biting in connection with cat fighting is "normal". Even wellbehaving, normally gentle home cats can do this to their normally belowed owner.

Trying to take hold of a still shy, not entirely fostered cat in not without dangers. Double so if you alsy try to carry this reluctanct cat...  If you really must do it, have thick clothes and gloves on.

Nay, with any luck this shouldnt happen again with the coming adopter, as long as the adopter is not any totally green with cats.

Good luck!

these incidents were separate and not even in same time frame. Simon (neighbor's cat) had been chasing Elliott for about two weeks (whenever Simon had been let out, he'd find him on my fire escape and start some static). It was about a week later that Simon had the butt bite. About a month before that incident, neighbor was outside trying to coax Elliott into lobby and then down into her apartment. That's when she got bit.

I've had a lot more contact with Elliott and he's never bit me. 

Right. But as said, also in this number 2 scenario, trying to catch a not so wellknown cat isnt without some risks...

If you must, and unsure, gloves and thick clothes on!

That is also the mayor weapon of most rescuers, when catching the homeless.  Afterwards it is OK, no danger, but the catching moments before it is in his room and cooled down, may be both touchy and even dangerous.

Why, our gentle oldest resident can threaten to bite, for example when we are clipping the nails.

He has never ever bitten, but he does threats...

well im not going to try and grab him period. im going to rent a humane trap from APL or im just going to let him in my apartment. I have gotten him to eat in my kitchen for a few minutes. I even shut the door for a few minutes.

mscatamaran said:

I was going to release him to the APL (they only euthanize un-adoptables and terminal ones).

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Try to find somewhere where unadoptables are NOT euthanized. Saying a cat is unadoptable is an easy excuse to euthanize unwanted cats who are taking up too much space.

Primula said:

Try to find somewhere where unadoptables are NOT euthanized. Saying a cat is unadoptable is an easy excuse to euthanize unwanted cats who are taking up too much space.

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I'm trying. I hope I'll eventually find a place or maybe even a home since I have until March (thats my soft deadline as to when I'd like him to be preferably in a home or in-house shelter). The Humane Society in my hometown euthanizes after 90 days of an animal being at their shelter. 

HELLO . I remember Elliot and he is such a gorgeous boy. Poor guy - of course he would bite someone who grabbed him. He was already scared and even the most friendly cat's would bite under those circumstances. And as for biting the other cat - it sounds like Simon was relentlessly chasing him and he had to protect himself... Absolutely - he can be re-socialized - 100% . He is a frightened kitty right now with NO sense of security and safety. Once he gets into a home and settles into a routine that he can count on each day, he will be an awesome kitty. Do keep him quarantined from your other cat's until you know he is completely settled in, comfortable, and trusts you. Also until you know he is completely healthy. I really hope you can find a home for him. Elliot is very attractive and I think someone would love to have him :nod: