Desperately need advice

Friends who have five cats have taken in an abandoned cat, age 3 and healthy (all the relevant tests have been done). Two of their cats refuse to accept the newcomer, and these people are very upset about it. We have the room, money and patience to take in another cat, but I'm worried about JC's reaction. He doesn't accept other cats, or even kids that he views as "competition", and has eosinophilic granuloma complex, which is frequently triggered by stress. We live in an old house, where all the rooms have doors, so it is possible to separate animals that don't get along. I don't know whether to offer to take in the abandoned cat or not. He was out on the streets for several weeks, and letting him roam free is not an option, because we live too close to a busy street. We have been through the stress of having to separate animals that don't get along before, but JC is our baby, and I don't want to jeopardize his health or happiness. Should I wait and see if the abandoned cat finds a new home (difficult, because he is an outdoor cat in a large city with a lot of traffic), or offer to adopt him? My husband thinks it would be unfair to JC. I think we could probably deal with the problem, but am afraid that JC will feel "betrayed"! What are your thoughts?

Your JC is just like our Sage. She's our baby — and also doesn't accept other cats in addition to having eosinophilic granuloma complex. The rashes from EGC were the absolute WORST when we introduced a calico into the household. We don't regret adopting the calico, but we simply can't intoduce any more cats into the house, for the same reason your husband gives, that it wouldn't be fair. We do daydream about getting a couple more, but at what cost? In our case a thoroughly miserable kitty.

It's taken Sage a year to somewhat relax in Becky's presence, but the only place she is really her "normal" self is in our bedroom, because Becky is not allowed in there (she poops and pees in Sage's box, which makes Sage unhappy ). We did everything by the book with regards to introducing them, in fact we did it much slower. I think it is just my Russian Blue's natural temperment to be extremely bonded to us, but not care about the rest of the world. So I have to respect that. It would make us happy to have more cuddlemuffins — but definitely at a cost.

Sounds to me like it would be best not to introduce another kitty into the home. How long have your neighbors had this abadoned kitty? Maybe it just hasn't been enough time. Peaches is still adjusting after 6 weeks but is slowly coming along.

They've had the cat since late June. Maui, JC does sound like Sage. I was thinking today that I'd better go talk to my vet before making any offers. I guess I'd better see what the other people in the EGC group say, too. JC is my first responsibility, but I do feel bad for the other cat, and for the people who have him right now. They'll keep him until he can find another home, but they have one rather old cat, another with skin cancer, and a third with a heart condition. It's the old cat and a healthy 4-year-old who won't accept the newcomer, who is rather timid. I'd probably risk it if it weren't for the EGC and my husband's doubts, since the newbie would probably submit to JC.