Stray cat question..

Hello! I'm new here.. Just created an account because I have a question about some strays by my new house. 

We just moved into a new townhome, and the community seems to have a LOT of strays. I can think of 5 that I see by our house regularly- but they're really all over the place. Well, since it's been so hot out lately I'd been putting some food out with a little water. Not really seeing who was getting it, but it would all be gone within 20 minutes with the bowl licked clean. Lately the same little guy has been coming around. He is grey and white, very cute- but very skinny. He also looks like he has either some scratches or something behind his one ear, but I haven't got close enough to check it out. Very sweet personality, he always meows when he sees me- and lately has been laying in front of the house. I'm worried about all the cats obviously, but I really worry about him since he's such a cool little guy. Ideally I'd take him to a vet and take him in, but A: I'm sure it's not nearly that easy. B: I don't think our dog+ cat would appreciate that.& C: Even if they were okay with it, the community we rent in has a 2 pet per house limit. I don't want to call animal control, the only shelter around here has a pretty high kill rate... Should I just keep doing what I'm doing? I know people always say not to feed strays, and I hope it's not annoying my neighbors that I am... I just feel so bad for them. It's not their fault they're out there =/. I feel bad for them with it being SO hot out (100 degrees+), and then when it gets cold I'll worry because of that. I just feel like I have to do SOMETHING because if somebody didn't take our cat in (who we adopted a couple years ago) she easily could have been in the same situation.. The cat is currently laying outside by my front door being all adorable. I tried to attach a picture but it said I did not have permission to, maybe because I'm new.. 

Welcome to TSC and thank you for helping him.  He sounds like a socialized stray (feral cats would not meow and will not let you get close)

Even though you can't take him in, you have a couple of choices.  First, he needs to be neutered and have his shots.  Check with the neighbors and see if there is an organized effort like TNR (trap, neuter, release).  If there is, likely you'll see a cat or two with part of its ear cut off (called eartipping).  This is done when the cat is under anesthesia when spayed/neutered and does not hurt them.  It does help, though by allowing people to quickly identify they've been fixed.

Also check with management to make sure they have no objections to feeding outside cats on the complex.  Likely someone is feeding them (maybe against the rules).  There would not be cats in the area if there wasn't a food source.

If there is no organized effort and one is allowed, you may want to partner with a local rescue to get the job done.

Keep in mind, that if someone is feeding and there is no TNR or similar effort, the cats will keep on coming.  If you do get this little guy fixed up and continue feeding him, there will likely be others who are hungry and will join the feast.  Ask yourself if you are ready to take on responsibility for them, too.

Finally, if you can't keep him as an outside cat, can you find him another home?  If he's friendly, he may be adoptable.

No matter what, I would try to contact a local rescue and see what kind of support there is in your area.  Thanks again for trying to help him!

Ondine said:

Welcome to TSC and thank you for helping him.  He sounds like a socialized stray (feral cats would not meow and will not let you get close)

Even though you can't take him in, you have a couple of choices.  First, he needs to be neutered and have his shots.  Check with the neighbors and see if there is an organized effort like TNR (trap, neuter, release).  If there is, likely you'll see a cat or two with part of its ear cut off (called eartipping).  This is done when the cat is under anesthesia when spayed/neutered and does not hurt them.  It does help, though by allowing people to quickly identify they've been fixed.

Also check with management to make sure they have no objections to feeding outside cats on the complex.  Likely someone is feeding them (maybe against the rules).  There would not be cats in the area if there wasn't a food source.

If there is no organized effort and one is allowed, you may want to partner with a local rescue to get the job done.

Keep in mind, that if someone is feeding and there is no TNR or similar effort, the cats will keep on coming.  If you do get this little guy fixed up and continue feeding him, there will likely be others who are hungry and will join the feast.  Ask yourself if you are ready to take on responsibility for them, too.

Finally, if you can't keep him as an outside cat, can you find him another home?  If he's friendly, he may be adoptable.

No matter what, I would try to contact a local rescue and see what kind of support there is in your area.  Thanks again for trying to help him!

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I think he'd be adoptable- I'd totally take him in, but I think my cat would get really annoyed. I've been looking online, and it seems like the only TNR is pretty far away =/ I did e-mail them though, just in case they have information on one that's closer to me and just maybe not listed online. He needs to see a vet, it looks like he might have a scratch behind his one ear- and who knows what could be going on with that. I hope the lady from this TNR gets back to me, I want to figure out what to do. Thank you for your information, you certainly know a lot about this . The eartipping thing is very interesting, and smart. 

I agree with Ondines great post.

Some sort of TNR is the trick here, ESPECIELLY if you continue to feed them.

And also the other way around:  once TNR:ed, you usually dont abandon them although the name Return. You often do try to have some sort of care about them, where they live outside.

This little guy, if you plan on finding him an adoption home, plan also on fostering him. Outside or inside.

Do you have home a room for fostering and quarantine?

Im almost sure you can get allowance from the landlord; he will not be your third pet, he would be somebody you are just fostering very temporary, making also a good deed to help the new adopter.

IF you would have possibility to adopt him yourself, Im almost sure your dog and your cat will accept him. They usually do. There are many tricks for learning cats to accept a newcomer.

Besides, such a friendly, shy newcomer is eager to please himself in, so he usually submits to the resident cats, and thus is easier to accept.  Especielly if he is neutered.

With the dog it will be even easier.

When the dog understands the new cat belongs to the household and is under your protection, he will accept the newcomer too. Even if he normally chases cats outside.

Chance is good the cat will make friends with the dog before you notice it...

As much as I keep saying "we can't keep it we can't keep it" it's really killing me. We just got home from getting ice cream, and she came up to say hello- kept rubbing herself (I got a closer look- I think it's a she) on our legs+ meowing... Following us... Tried to follow us in the house... The only way the 2 of us could get in was if my boyfriend walked a few feet back to distract it.. I ran in the house- got food- put it away from our door and we both ran in. It was funny but sad. I wish one of the places I called would call back. I can say we came in and smelled like stray girl+ my cat is FREAKING OUT. Fluffy tail, ears back... This is really tricky. My dog is sniffing wagging her tail, she doesn't seem as concerned. 

I think you shall obey your fate. Instructions from Above!

The only question is if you shall try and adopt her yourself ("try" because of the policy of 2 animals)

OR  take her in, help her, and seek after an adopting home.

Observe, once you had decided to help her, the time is running. As it IS dangerous to be out there.

More than one of our forumites decided to help a stray homeless, but was too slow with doing it. The animal disappeared to unknown fate (or got killed) to their big sorrow and feelings of uncertainity and missing...

Good luck!

Stephan is correct, unfortunately.  Time is of the essence.  He's going to get hurt outside.  Your first step is to get him to a vet's.  He needs to be neutered, vaccinated and treated for parasites.  You cannot keep feeding him and not do at least this.  It's an invitation for trouble.

If you decide to bring him in (at least temporarily), is there a spare room (the bathroom is OK) for him to stay in?  This will help with your resident cat, although I can promise you he will not be happy.  The dog may either not care at all or be really curious.

Please act quickly now.  I may make the difference between life and death for this kitty...