I rescued an abandoned cat and can't find a home for it.

Ok.  I need advice.  A cat owner suddenly left their apartment and is now "homeless" temporarily and staying in a shelter.  She left her cat in an open closet in the apartment.   I agreed to rescue the cat but to only keep him for one or two days as I was told the owner would be getting a new place.  The second day I had the cat, it bit me on the top of my wrist. It felt more like a pinch but it did bleed a little.  The owner told me to take it to the shelter.  She didn't want him anymore.    I can't keep the cat as I am allergic to them and my husband is getting mad because he agreed on one night and now it's going on 6!!  Reluctantly I  contacted the shelter and they said I cannot turn the cat in there....the owner has to sign off on it and since it bit, it is unadoptable and would be euthanized.  I think the cat was only scared or maybe even just excited when it nipped.  It really seems like a good cat.  He purrs and rubs his head against my hand.  However, I have tried to contact rescue groups, etc. and can't find anyone to take this cat.  PLUS...the cat has worms!  We have the cat in our heated shop in a pretty good size wire dog crate.  It has food, water and a litter pan.  I try to go out and interact with him a little but it's sad that he has been locked up like this for this long.  I don't know what to do.  Tomorrow I'm taking him to the vet for the worms but I can't keep him.  Any suggestions??  I would really like to hear some.  I don't want him to be euthanized just because of a irresponsible owner but I have two dogs and do not want a cat.  I am keeping him in the heated shop because I am terrified of my dogs getting fleas and possible worms.  My daughter just went through a nightmare with fleas and I do not want to go down that road.  Thank you for your time.

Hi, I would suggest asking people that you personally know such as coworkers, Facebook friends, family, friends, maybe even Craigslist.  Worms should be relatively easy to get rid of so don't panic!  When you called the animal shelter, did they give you any resources?  For example, other shelters or something like that.  Good luck!  Thanks for taking in the poor kitty. 

It sounds like the bit was not out of aggressiveness. The cat probably got over stimulated and was probably not taught not to bite. The problem is Humane Shelters and Animal Control agencies do not differentiate the type of bites. In other words, he is not a bad cat, he just didn't know.

I recommend you go back to your local rescue organizations and ask if any do 'community intakes'. Most rescues only pull cats off the euthanasia list from local shelters, but not all. Some recues will take cats from the community. You might even try walking into your local Pets Mart or Pet Co on adoption days ( usually Saturdays and/or Sundays) and just start talking to the rescue organizations who are there. Ask if they know of a shelter who takes cats from the community or ask if there is a 'no-kill shelter' nearby.  Often the rescue groups know each other and most are willing to help out with information or support each other.

In my city there are two large no-kill shelters just for cats. One even has a FIV positive room and a feline leukemia room. It will depend upon the resources available in your area. In general, the bigger the city, the more resources you can find. So, if you live in a smaller more rural areas, you might look at the nearest big city or town. It may mean you will have to drive the cat to an hour or two to drop it off at a no-kill shelter, but in the end you will know you have done the best that you could in your situation.

Do not discuss the nip. Do not discuss that this cat belongs to another person. In most communities,  the law says the cat belongs to the person who is feeding it and/or on whose property the cat is living. So, technically, the cat is now yours. If you it makes you more comfortable you can say it is a stray  that you took in or that the owner was evicted and left the cat behind and you took it in.

I, too, would not mention the bite, he was most likely scared and did what any animal would do. He may have even been playing rough. If he consistantly hissed and bit, that would be a different story. I agree too that now he is your cat, he was abandoned. Try those 'swap' shops or free buy and sell shows on the radio, I've had good luck with those, especially if you can say the poor thing was abandoned, someone will take pity on him. Please convinse your husband to be a little more compassionate, there is a life hanging in the balance here. Also, if you are allergic, try some Benadryl, that helps a lot with allergies. Good Luck!!!! 

As a side note, I was wondering if you got that bite looked at?  When I volunteered at the humane society, it was recommended that people who received bites that broke the skin should see a doctor.  I don't mean to freak you out, but I just wanted you to be informed.  

http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pe...-health/wounds-cat-bite-injuries-to-humans/63

Since he was a pet I would think he had at least most shots in his life. Animal bites can become infected very easily, so watch for that. I have been bitten very deeply by feral kittens and cats and did worry for a while because I never saw them again! I would feel much safer being bitten by a pet.

Thank you everyone for your replies.  The bite was so minimal that it is almost healed without any signs of infection, etc.  It just barely broke the skin.  I really appreciate all of your advice and suggestions.  I will continue to try and find this guy a home.  The owner is being wishy washy about wanting him back.  I don't feel she deserves him though.  He hasn't been to the vet in 2 years now.  He is skinny, sneezing and the poor thing has worms.  I had an appointment for him at the vet today but I could not for the life of me, get him in the carrier.  It is a small cloth carrier as I wasn't prepared for a cat and was using what I had.  I am searching for a used plastic carrier and I will attempt to get him in to the vet again.  I have a fear now of getting too close to his mouth so I was trying to entice him into the carrier on his own.  He wasn't having it.  But anyway, thanks everyone!  It's great to get some advice since I've never owned a cat before!

Hi again,

They sell cheap cardboard carriers at most pet stores and vet clinics. They are not great but they work for a few trips if you don't abuse them too much.

However, you have to be able to pick up the cat as you drop the cat into the carrier from the top (as oppose from the side).

Most cats don't like carriers, unless they have been taught to travel in them. You can probably assume that getting him into the carrier for the first time may be a bit of a challenge. Try leaving the carrier out with the cat if you have room. Put his food in there and leave it so he gets use to eating in there. Let him get use to it. 

Do you know anyone at work or a friend or family member who has had experience with cats? Someone who could come in and help you? It sounds like you are not comfortable handling him. I am worried if he starts to wiggle and squirm he could get away from you. Maybe for a small donation you could talk someone from a rescue to come over and help you. They would be better able to evaluate the temperament of the cat and maybe show you how to safely handle him.

You could try gloves, but the ones thick enough to block a bite usually are too cumbersome to allow you to actually hold on to a squirming animal. I have a  pair designed for cactus that are wonderful, but they are pricey.

Good luck.

Fuzzycat....thank you. I didn't realize they made cardboard crates!  I have a pair of welding gloves that might work for hand protection.