So, I might take the stray in. HELP!

So, If you read my previous post, you know that we had a cat who made herself our pet. My boyfriend and I have been going to/calling shelters- and nobody can help us out. The closest we've had to help is someone telling us "If you get the cat it's shots and fixed we'll post pictures of it on petfinder" (and then keep the money they make off of us. which seemed sketchy.).. 

We are leaning towards going to a vet on Wednesday, pricing fixing it/shots and keeping it. We will have to do bloodwork/shots before bringing her in.. BUT.... we're VERY nervous about our pets. Our cat Monkey is freaking amazing. We adopted her when she was about 6months old after she was born in a trash can+ lived in a shelter. She's dealt with us moving her twice, and living in a hotel for a month, plus getting a dog about a year ago. She's about 2 1/2. Our dog- Twinkie is about 1 year old, and only 5 lbs. She's very hyper+ gets in Monkey's face a lot.. Monkey is used to her- and "bops" her when she's not in the mood (swats at her, but no nails). I'm concerned that she couldn't fend for herself if she bothered the new cat since she's SO tiny.

Here are my concerns/questions, if anyone could help I'd really appreciate it. 

1. I know this might sound dumb, but do the cats share a litter box/food? I'm nervous Monkey will be territorial+ they will fight

2.  When we're working, the dog stays in a crate (usually only alone 4 hours max)... But the cat has the whole house to herself. Do you think the cats would be ok by themselves (we'd do a slow introduction... but I'm talking after that)

3. Since it lived outside already, when we open the door to come in+ out will it try to run out a lot? Our door is pretty tricky to slip in and out of... Our 2 are trained not to do it- but it might be harder since this one was already out there for so long

I guess my general concerns are my pets getting hurt or mad... Or both.... I'm also not sure what vet bills for a new stray are like, we'll find that out Weds I suppose. I'm about to have about $10,000 of medical bills coming to me- so money is an issue here, especially with the quality of life we provide to our pets (food, etc)...

When I was leaving for a surgery consult today I saw the little stray girl and this is what happened.. She's killing me 

Oh golly... how can you possibly resist!

Only you can make the call regarding costs etc, but, if you do your introductions correctly you have a very good chance of this working out... you need to do it carefully of course.  Then it should be fine for them both to share the house.  Of course there are no guarantees, but you can give it your best shot.  Of course spaying them as soon as it's practical is essential.

Have a browse through this:  http://www.thecatsite.com/a/introducing-cats-to-cats

As a general rule I have two litterboxes for each cat.. I know it sounds extreme, but neither of mine will wee where they poo, and they don't like sharing!  You may find that two will work, but one will not be enough.  As for food, separate bowls should be fine... they tend to sort these things out.

If you take your new cat in she may initially try to get out, but you can train her too.  Make the house too much fun.. lots of toys, elevated areas, a good scatching post etc.

I reckon she'd get Twinkie sorted pretty quickly too.. cats are often pretty good at letting dogs know where they stand. Here's another good article:  http://www.thecatsite.com/a/introducing-cats-to-dogs

BTW, I asked a mod to remove your duplicate post

1. I know this might sound dumb, but do the cats share a litter box/food? I'm nervous Monkey will be territorial+ they will fight

Click to expand...

Best to give each cat his or her own litter box. Ditto food bowls.

2.  When we're working, the dog stays in a crate (usually only alone 4 hours max)... But the cat has the whole house to herself. Do you think the cats would be ok by themselves (we'd do a slow introduction... but I'm talking after that)

Click to expand...

After a slow introduction (and I do mean slow), they will either be friendly or at least tolerate each other. We had a hard time introducing an 8 weeks old kitten last November to our established older cat. Our cat loathed the kitten, but now, at least, they can be in the same room together. It took a long time though. It all depends on the personality of each cat.

3. Since it lived outside already, when we open the door to come in+ out will it try to run out a lot? Our door is pretty tricky to slip in and out of... Our 2 are trained not to do it- but it might be harder since this one was already out there for so long

Click to expand...

I don't think you have said how old this stray cat is and it's hard to tell from the photo. The 8 weeks old kitten I found last November never showed any sign of wanting to go out so she has never been outside. She is the only cat we have ever had who does not go outside. The hard thing for us was constantly watching for open doors and windows, but we adjusted. Yes, your cat will try to run outside if it can.

I guess my general concerns are my pets getting hurt or mad... Or both.... I'm also not sure what vet bills for a new stray are like, we'll find that out Weds I suppose. I'm about to have about $10,000 of medical bills coming to me- so money is an issue here, especially with the quality of life we provide to our pets (food, etc)...

Click to expand...

IMO, it is not easy to integrate cats, but I could not leave the kitten out on the street when I found her so we have done what we can. As to vet bills, we have to pay them. This is just part of being a pet owner.

Hope this has helped. You are doing a WONDERFUL thing if you let this little cat into your home.

Mani said:

Oh golly... how can you possibly resist!

Only you can make the call regarding costs etc, but, if you do your introductions correctly you have a very good chance of this working out... you need to do it carefully of course.  Then it should be fine for them both to share the house.  Of course there are no guarantees, but you can give it your best shot.  Of course spaying them as soon as it's practical is essential.

Have a browse through this:  http://www.thecatsite.com/a/introducing-cats-to-cats

As a general rule I have two litterboxes for each cat.. I know it sounds extreme, but neither of mine will wee where they poo, and they don't like sharing!  You may find that two will work, but one will not be enough.  As for food, separate bowls should be fine... they tend to sort these things out.

If you take your new cat in she may initially try to get out, but you can train her too.  Make the house too much fun.. lots of toys, elevated areas, a good scatching post etc.

I reckon she'd get Twinkie sorted pretty quickly too.. cats are often pretty good at letting dogs know where they stand. Here's another good article:  http://www.thecatsite.com/a/introducing-cats-to-dogs

BTW, I asked a mod to remove your duplicate post

Click to expand...

Thank you for asking the mod! I think this post got delayed or something, I have no idea.. But thank you!!

Our house is insanely pet friendly lol... Our old neighbor built cat climbers, so... we've got a few haha.. Scratchers as well. I like to spoil them a lot, That's so funny about the litterboxes, I didn't realize that cats wouldn't do both in the same box sometimes.. Monkey does, but maybe because it's all she knows. I feel like with Twinkie they'd either do great because the cat seems to want to play, I just hope she doesn't think Twink is a rodent because she's so small haha... 

Thank you again for your help!

blacktrack208 said:

Thank you for asking the mod! I think this post got delayed or something, I have no idea.. But thank you!!

Our house is insanely pet friendly lol... Our old neighbor built cat climbers, so... we've got a few haha.. Scratchers as well. I like to spoil them a lot, That's so funny about the litterboxes, I didn't realize that cats wouldn't do both in the same box sometimes.. Monkey does, but maybe because it's all she knows. I feel like with Twinkie they'd either do great because the cat seems to want to play, I just hope she doesn't think Twink is a rodent because she's so small haha... 

Thank you again for your help!

Click to expand...

Please do let us know how you're going..

Primula said:

Best to give each cat his or her own litter box. Ditto food bowls.
After a slow introduction (and I do mean slow), they will either be friendly or at least tolerate each other. We had a hard time introducing an 8 weeks old kitten last November to our established older cat. Our cat loathed the kitten, but now, at least, they can be in the same room together. It took a long time though. It all depends on the personality of each cat.
I don't think you have said how old this stray cat is and it's hard to tell from the photo. The 8 weeks old kitten I found last November never showed any sign of wanting to go out so she has never been outside. She is the only cat we have ever had who does not go outside. The hard thing for us was constantly watching for open doors and windows, but we adjusted. Yes, your cat will try to run outside if it can.
IMO, it is not easy to integrate cats, but I could not leave the kitten out on the street when I found her so we have done what we can. As to vet bills, we have to pay them. This is just part of being a pet owner.

Hope this has helped. You are doing a WONDERFUL thing if you let this little cat into your home.

Click to expand...

I would guess the cat is at least 6 months old, maybe 6-8 months. Maybe 8-10 lbs. She's skinny but long, if that makes sense. And she's gorgeous. 

As for vet bills, when it comes to our 2 they've always been completely up to date one tests/shots etc. If anything I've been neurotic about taking them in ( The receptionist got to the point when we adopted Twinkie that she memorized our phone number. yup- I'm that person)... It would just take some re-evaluating of the budget to take in another. We weren't exactly planning on a 3rd pet, but she certainly seems to have chosen us =/. 

I have 1 completely indoor cat and the very end of May brought a stray/feral inside.  The stray/feral (Marvin) has been in his safe room since.  We have done very very slow introductions.  Our indoor kitty (Jake) rules the roost.  I have had other strays/ferals living on my deck for 3 years now.  Jake hates them all.  Marvin has adjusted well to his safe room.  We started with scent swapping.  This went really well.  We moved to feeding on either side of the door.  Next we allowed site introductions.  Each step along the way has taken us about a week.  We purchased a cheap screen door ($20) and have it up against the door frame with tension rods on the outside holding it in place.  Both cats can come up to the door and visit as well as eating on each side of the door.  This also allows Marvin to better see and hear the comings and goings of our household.  We also have a large Samoyed who wants in on all the action too!  Last week we began to let Marvin explore the upstairs with Jake and Misty put away.  On Sunday Marvin was allowed downstairs.  We have also put Jake on a harness and allowed him into Marvin's space.  So far no issues.  Marvin is very ready to come out, but we still have to work on the dog interactions.  I just know that we need to do this very slowly so that we keep our household peaceful as well as not having to retrace our steps.

Please keep us posted on your progress.  I hope you are able to have the kitty spayed/neutered and all shots soon.
 

You may want to check if there is a low cost spay neuter program in your area, they also may do low cost immunizations. Thanks for taking in the stray kitten.
 

She looks absolutely adorable!  And old enough to get pregnant!

Petco/PetSmart does low cost immunizations.

Since she is classified as a stray/feral, she may be eligible for very low cost spay/neutering or free n/s depending on where you live.    Here are lists of places that do low cost s/n:  one list  and another.  Also check out http://www.alleycat.org/.  (If you lived in Washington, DC, you could get her done for free.)

Ritz said:

She looks absolutely adorable!  And old enough to get pregnant!

Petco/PetSmart does low cost immunizations.

Since she is classified as a stray/feral, she may be eligible for very low cost spay/neutering or free n/s depending on where you live.    Here are lists of places that do low cost s/n:  one list  and another.  Also check out http://www.alleycat.org/.  (If you lived in Washington, DC, you could get her done for free.)

Click to expand...

The Petsmart here doesn't have a vet- but there are a couple places on that list that aren't too far away. She held me hostage when I got home from work today! Saw my car and ran up to me and wouldn't let me go inside she wanted to get pet and hang out. 

blacktrack208 said:

The Petsmart here doesn't have a vet- but there are a couple places on that list that aren't too far away. She held me hostage when I got home from work today! Saw my car and ran up to me and wouldn't let me go inside she wanted to get pet and hang out. 

Click to expand...

I don't see a lot of option here... you've been chosen..

We also have a large Samoyed

Click to expand...

I met a Samoyed for the first time recently when I was taking a walk. What a beautiful dog!

old enough to get pregnant

Click to expand...

You're right; if she is 6-8 months old, she may have had a litter already.

May I ask a dumb question.... I've never been to a "low cost" spay/neuter facility... Is it safe for the animals? It's not rushed/half assed is it?

^We wouldn't dream of going anyplace else. My husband takes our cats to be spayed/neutered at our so-called Team Mobile. He pays $80 and this includes a short physical, ear mites treatment, etc. We take our cats to regular vets for other things, but always to Team Mobile to be fixed. They are very nice.

blacktrack208 said:

May I ask a dumb question.... I've never been to a "low cost" spay/neuter facility... Is it safe for the animals? It's not rushed/half assed is it?

Click to expand...

Our low cost spay and neuter clinic offers vouchers for those with feral cat colonies and those in certain zip codes with high populations of unspayed or unneutered animals.  I am able to get my feral/stray cats neutered for $40 and usually have a $5 off coupon.  This includes the neuter, rabies shot and exam.  I pay a bit extra for Feline Leukemia testing.  If they would find ear mites or parasites they would treat them and I would be charged $5-10 extra.  It is so very reasonable.  I have taken 4 feral/strays to my low cost clinic and I love it.  They do not require an appointment for ferals/strays as long as they are in traps.  The downfall is you need to arrive between 7:30-8 am and you must pick them up around 5pm.  The low cost clinics do not keep them overnight.  This has never been a problem.  I keep them in my basement in the covered trap with soft music playing.  I check on the cat frequently and provide food/water.  I let them go the next morning.  I have only done males so females may require an extra day to recover.

My vet would have charged me close to $300 for the neuter, shots and tests.  Low cost clinics are designed to help those with ferals, strays and those who want to do the best for their pets, but don't have much money.  The low cost clinics only offer a handful of services.  They spay/neuter, hernia repairs, parasite treatment, flea/ear mite treatment, and some minor dental work.  They usually do not see sick animals. 

Hope that helps you out!

^Great post.

Primula said:

I met a Samoyed for the first time recently when I was taking a walk. What a beautiful dog!
You're right; if she is 6-8 months old, she may have had a litter already.

Click to expand...

OOPS. She is a HE. Came out to say hello before and my boyfriend was standing there and was like um--- yep... That's a boy. And he definitely is not fixed. He bit my foot a little, nothing crazy, but I think he got too excited. I've talked to one low cost spay place here- the woman was VERY nice. She actually wound up recommending that I go to a different place so that he (who we thought was a she at the time) could get seen sooner. 

Low cost s/n centers = high experience.  I've TNRd 35 cats in 2.5 years and used two low cost places that specializes in feral/stray/abandoned cats.  The cost was around $50.  Depending on the policy of the s/n clinic, the cat will be ear tipped--a universal sign that the cat is being taken care of, usually in a colony situtation.  At one clinic, ear tipping was mandatory; at the other place, optional.  When it came to adopting out re-socialized cats, the adopters didn't care--if they even noticed--that the ear was tipped.