Collecting outdoor cats

dejolane

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 20, 2012
Messages
3,891
Purraise
34
Location
Hebron,Ohio
Do u have strays that u let come in and you feed ? You know you have too many cats already but just want more ?  If I let one cat in my Bella and Thunder would probably go crazy. Once we got Thunder I put her in a carrier for about 3 minutes so Bella could sniff her and now they still have their little fights everything is ok between them.
 

ondine

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Nov 20, 2008
Messages
5,312
Purraise
780
Location
Burlington, North Carolina
All of us have faced this dilemma.  I drew the line at eight because I simply had no more room for more.  Six are inside and we built an enclosure for the latest two, who were a little too wild to be inside.  If we ever get a bigger house, I would try to integrate them but for now, they're safe and happy where they are.

I have had to take the strays who have shown up since to the no-kill shelter.  I am lucky we have one nearby.  I've also found homes for several - well, 54 to be exact.

If you do not think you can afford this new cat or that your other two will have too much trouble adjusting to him, please find a way to help him otherwise.  Neutering and a vet-check are key.  Then, if he's friendly, maybe you can find him a home?  Or work with a no-kill shelter or rescue to get him placed.

Thank you for helping him!
 

msaimee

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 21, 2013
Messages
1,850
Purraise
1,697
Location
Western PA
Wow, I can't imagine placing 54 cats. All of my friends and neighbors have reached their limit in the number of cats they're able to care for, so it would be a dilemma for me if I rescue more strays and ferals because I haven't mastered the "R" in the "TNR" process, lol. I currently have 5 rescue cats indoors and 1 feral cat outdoors and feel I'm at my limit. What your limit is depends on the space you have in your house, your ability to pay for occasional veterinary care, and the time you have to change litter, feed, play with, and help them to socialize with each other. A big part of my cat care energy now is used for caring for 2 of my indoor cats who are elderly and have medical issues which require frequent trips to the vets and ongoing medication. If your cats are all young and healthy, then cat care is much easier.

Different cats take different amounts of time to adjust to each other. The feral kitten I took in two summers ago made himself at home with the other cats in 5 weeks. The last rescue cat I took in 6 months ago is only now settling in with the others. It always takes time and patience to introduce a new cat into the home, but cats generally do adjust and learn to co-exist peacefully within months. In certain cases, it can take a year or two. I've never had a situation where they didn't learn to co-exist eventually. Patience is always required.      
 
Top