So I got drunk one night and woke up next to.....

LOL, I'm sure you've heard the story many times before.  Over Labor day weekend two months ago while BBQing with a neighbor I said I was thinking about adopting a cat/kitten.  Of course with a few beers in my system, I got home searched craigslist for free kitten and a listing showed up.  My mind cleared while standing on the front lawn waiting for somebody to drop off some sort of animal.wondering what exactly did i just agree too.  For all I know, what could be showing up in a few minutes was the ugliest, nastiest beast to walk the earth as I had neglected to ask anything about the cat..  Fortunately, a nice couple dropped off a beautiful kitten about 12 weeks.old.  I named her Jolene after the Dolly Parton song which had just came up on a Youtube search a few minutes before walking out my door..

Whew, so far so good, I got her inside where she immediately ran for cover upon being released.  Fortunately, she came out after 2 hours and jumped up on my lap.  It took her about 2 weeks to fully adjust as I was her third home from what I could gather from a brief conversation with the previous owner who dropped her off.  I haven't gotten her spayed yet but will over Christmas time.  At about 5 months she already has a suitor stalking her.  I heard a knock in my dreams only to realize that it was real.  After waking up Jolene got up and checked the door then I dragged myself over to see who it could be.... and it was nobody.  Wait what's that black thing down there?  I turn on the porch light to find a cat just sitting there staring at my Jolene.  Ugh, I haven't even seen this cat before in my yard.  So yeah, it has started.

With that said, I would like to thank everyone for their contributions to this site.  As a first time cat owner it has helped immensely.  There is no way Jolene is going out on her own until fixed now.  I thought she might have some time but no way.  Also, I'm not sure I'll ever let her out anyways as I live on a death row.  Across the street is a large open field plus we abut against the hills, I've seen many coyotes wandering around.  Many neighbors have lost cats over the years.  Since reading this site, I've tried to get out into places she can't run away so she's used to being in unfamiliar terrain.  She will explore the garage but won't the vacant house on the property I live on.  I think this is because the previous tenant had two cats.

She is very affectionate and sleeps with me but I can see why it's not easy letting them run outside.  Jolene isn't very responsive when I try to end our sessions.  When I get a chance I'm going to get a harness to walk her.  With that, there is a high probability our picture will end up being some sort Internet meme as I'll be a big guy walking a small cat.  Hilarity will ensue.  Anyways  here are some pics:




She's a pill popping drunk kitten

Hi there welcome along to TCS

Jolene is gorgeous!

Well, there could have been much worse results from too much beer at a BBQ!

Jolene is a very pretty girl.  About 5 months is about as old as a kitten should be before getting spayed.  You don't want to perpetuate the problem of kittens having to find new homes.  And indoors is the right place for your little girl, next to you, purring.  Everyone is happy, that way!
 

Hi, welcome to TCS!    Jolene is a beauty!  Suitors knocking on the door at all hours?  I agree with your plan to keep her in until spayed. 

Welcome to the site! Jolene is gorgeous.

Such a beautiful lady.  The name fits her perfectly.  Until you get her spayed, keep an extra close eye on her anytime a door is about to be opened.  Cats almost seem to have the ability to teleport themselves when they really want to get outside.  Enjoy your kitten and be prepared for a strange ride. 

I would not let her outside, even if on a harness.  Once she is allowed out on a harness, she may want to go out without waiting for you to put on her harness.

You can find some videos on youtube of cats freaking out on a harness, and it often doesn't end well.
 

I tried a harness on my kitties. They just think it is a joke and completely ignore me. I keep trying and bribing but so far I think they believe the loop around my wrist is for them to walk me with.

I don't want to sound negative, and your kitten is very beautiful. But I've heard your story before many many times. Not your particular story, but the story of many people just like you.

You see, an unaltered female cat will escape if allowed to go into heat. They are veritable magicians. If she escapes, she will come back pregnant 100% of the time. It's what they do.

I assume you're waiting until Christmas time to get her fixed is a money issue. There's no shame in that. I'm unemployed myself right now.

Assuming you live here in the US, there are many many low cost spay and neuter clinics who will spay her for around 30 dollars.

Google "low cost spay" and your towns name, or the largest town near you.

It will also protect her from diseases/cancers that she could develop later in life if you spay her before her first heat.

Good luck.

Hi, my vet won't spay until 6 months old and having now hit 14 in numbers I think as long as you are really careful with her and make sure she doesnt escape you will be fine!

I would agree with some comments about harnesses, I know many people who have great success and others who don't. Unfortunately I never did but I have to say I love the idea!

All of mine are house cats and having discussed this with my vet, they feel that in todays social climate, they will be better as house cats avoiding fast drivers / wild animals / traps etc. I guess its personal choice! 

What ever, she is very pretty and I am not in the least supprised she has suiters knocking!

Please make sure you take her some where reputable when you get her "done" I have seen some bodge jobs here in the UK which have caused much heart ache for the sake of saving a few quid!

Mandy and gang

Thank You for everyone's compliments.

Yes, getting her fixed is part money and part time/transportation.  I'm a graduate student without a car most of the time and figured it would be easier to do it over Christmas for both reasons.  I had tried googling for low cost spaying but didn't really find anything close by( or really anything for cats).  Unfortunately, I am at my mother's right now due to her poor health and may be here for a few weeks.  This just came up in the last few days so I couldn't plan anything in advance.  My impression is that spaying is a two day even and she would stay overnight?

I did get a harness yesterday and managed to get it on her.  The first time was easy and left it on only for a few minutes as she was a bit fidgety.  The second time was a few hours later in the evening and went on with some difficulty but she immediately freaked out and ran away.  She came back with it around her butt bragging how she defeated my efforts.  I gave it a rest for a while then tried again.  She fought very hard but didn't hiss or bite but it went on and I also managed to tighten it so she couldn't get it off again.  This time she doesn't runaway and is pretty calm at this point. Attaching a leash, I open the back door and .... nothing.  She takes two steps outside and looks back at me wondering what is she supposed to do.  She didn't leave within 5 feet of the door.  So, I take her out the front door which took 5 minutes for her to go through and again nothing.  She stops a few feat outside and looks at me so I decide to entertain her by rolling in the grass.  Jolene thinks less of me now I'm pretty sure.  After that humiliation we go back inside and I take it off.  She's seems O.K. with the whole experience and didn't runaway from me afterwards.  I'll wait a few days to try again.

Here are some not very clear pics:

Just my opinion.  Again.  DO NOT TAKE OR LET HER OUTSIDE.  There's no reason for her to be outside.  There are dangers, germs, toxins, other cats, she may try to run out on her own, etc.
 

she's a very pretty girl, I see no reason not to take her outside if you can successfully harness train her, she would probably enjoy it, I personally see no reason for cats to be inside 24/7 that's how cats get fat, and being fat is far worse for cats then being allowed occasional time outside. all three of my cats are allowed to go in and out at their leisure in the spring/summer/fall and they love it.

if she is vaccinated and kept current on her shots, go for it.

I also see no reason to not get her spayed until around christmas time, the older they are, the bigger, then better it is for them anyway, vets around here won't spay until 8 months, or about 6 pounds with queens, they won't nueter until 6 months or 4 pounds with toms, as spaying is a much more invasive procedure than nuetering.

cats are escape artists though in any circumstance, not just while in heat, if she gets the urge to go outside, even if you don't harness train her, she'll figure a way out, even after she's spayed.
 

tjcarst said:

Just my opinion.  Again.  DO NOT TAKE OR LET HER OUTSIDE.  There's no reason for her to be outside.  There are dangers, germs, toxins, other cats, she may try to run out on her own, etc.
 

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Why do you keep saying this when he has clearly stated that the cat will be on a harness? He's not opening the door and letting her wander on her own, he is monitoring her while holding on to the other end of a leash. Tons of people in this site take their cats outside on harnesses. I take my cats outside for fifteen or thirty minutes almost every day in my backyard and I don't feel I am adding any extra danger to their lives.

You mention "[color= rgb(24, 24, 24)]Once she is allowed out on a harness, she may want to go out without waiting for you to put on her harness," but that is quite honestly a non-issue as long as he puts the harness on before opening the door. His kitten doesn't have some magical power to open doors just because he let her outside on a harness.[/color]

[color= rgb(24, 24, 24)]You seem very anti-harness, but it is a great way to let cats explore nature while keeping them safe, and I actually recommend  that everyone tries it who can.[/color]

I think harness  training is great for her   It lets her explore, while keeping her under your close supervision...and may i suggest once she is well behaved, a retractable leash is a great thing....it lets kitty go up to 3.5m without tripping over the leash.....my boy loves his retractable leash

Another point.....Harness training sometimes lessens the cats urge to escape, as they come to know freedom at the end of the leash as their only access to the outdoors.

jolenesman said:

 My impression is that spaying is a two day even and she would stay overnight?

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First, Jolene is beautiful!

Second, no, spaying is usually a one-day affair around here. Our cats get dropped off early in the morning and go home after work ends the same day.

She's gorgeous!, and l've loved reading how you got her

As most people have said, keep her on the harness at all times with you there, and get her fixed asap. If you need any help or advice let us know

what a great story lol she is beautifull !! x x x

she's a beautiful little girl and will bring you much joy. I would keep her as an indoor only cat. Our 3 don't go out - 2 were strays who adopted us. They show absolutely no interest in the outdoors anymore, although Tippy did sneak out once or twice but immediately decided the house is much better. For her health and safety- I think indoors is the best.

Look forward to seeing more pictures.