Advice needed: newly adopted stray

Hi folks. I’m new to this site and joined because I’m having trouble finding information and advice for my particular stray cat situation. Here’s the lowdown…

There’s a cat (Gary, who seems to be a Russian Blue or a Russian Blue mix) that’s been hanging around my boyfriend’s shop for the past three years, which we’ve just brought into our home. We thought he might be feral at first, but after doing some research Gary definitely fits the description of a stray.

I met Gary for the first time several months back. According to my boyfriend, Gary’s seemed to be happy outdoors and coming and going as he pleased during the time he’s known him. But in the past few months, he’s gotten into some fights and shown up at the shop with some pretty bad scratches. So, we’re starting to properly care for the cat and very seriously thinking of adopting him.

Yesterday, we got Gary neutered and vaccinated at the Humane Society, and have brought the cat to our home (a couple miles away from the shop) to recover. The folks at the Human Society think Gary is about 7 years old. It’s anyone’s best guess as to how long Gary has been on the streets, especially since he hadn’t been neutered till now.

Gary is a little skittish at times, but he’s actually a very sweet and affectionate cat once his trust has been earned. He seems to enjoy being in our home with us and our dog (he’s known the dog since he started showing up at the shop 3 years ago).

We’ve read up on the advice that’s out there about adopting stray cats. Like I said, we’re pretty sure we’re going to adopt him. Our plan at the moment is to keep him indoors for the next two weeks while he recovers from the neutering. Our concern though is about if and/or when we should let him outside again. We plan to give him a collar and microchip him before letting him outside (and possibly even walking him around our enclosed yard on a kitty leash) but are understandably worried that at some point he might run off and not be able to find his way back since this is a new neighborhood for him and he’s not fully used to being a pet...

All and any advice would be greatly appreciated!

It's great that you've taken Gary in. He's lucky to have found you.

With going out - you say your yard is enclosed. Are you able to fully enclose/cat proof (meaning top as well as sides) part or all of it to make a 'catio'? That really would be the ideal solution - Gary would then have safe outside access without any worries for you. I've never set up a catio myself (it just isn't possible for me), but there are members here who have shown can give you more guidance.

If you adopt him, is there a reason he just won't be an inside only cat?  Once he's neutered, his wanderlust will dissipate, so you may not have to worry about him wanting to go outside.  As long as his needs are met - a cozy bed, a clean litter box and good food - he may surprise you and want the inside life.

If that's not possible, then I agree with Columbine - a catio would be an ideal solution.   I have an enclosure fore two semi-feral cats.  There are some pics here:

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/257002/my-new-enclosure.  If you put "enclosure" in the search bar above, you'll get lots of threads.  Even a screen porch will give him fresh air without putting him in danger again.

Another idea is putting up a large dog crate outside and allowing him time in it every day.  Again, he'll get fresh air but not be able to disappear.

Keeping Gary inside for the two weeks is the best way to get him familiar with his new digs and the idea of walking him the leash will help him become familar with the yard.  He may not adapt to the leash though.

But in any case, he is one lucky little cat.  Thank you so much for helping him.

Hi Columbine. Thanks for the response. Love the idea of a "catio," though that likely won't be possible since we rent. I'll post some post some photos of our yard in a separate reply so you all can get an idea of our yard situation and advise accordingly. Thanks again!

Photos of our yard below. As you can see, it's not fully enclosed, but pretty decent. The fences are about 5'5" - 6' tall, but that said, I wouldn't underestimate Gary's ability to hop on the planter box and over the fence if he was so inclined.

Hi Ondine! Thanks so much for replying. 

I'm very much hoping that Gary's neutering will curb his urge to roam or run away. The impression my boyfriend and I have got is that he's tired of life on the streets. He's only been in our home for a day thus far, but is acclimating quite quickly. Gently exploring his new surroundings. Likes being pet. Will sit in our laps and sometimes cozies up next to the dog. 

As I mentioned to Columbine, a fully enclosed catio isn't possible. I just posted some photos of our yard so you all can see the space we've got. 

Keeping Gary inside isn't a huge problem. One issue though is our dog Lakota. We've got a dog door, which we've recently opened to let him use since our jobs situations changed and are having to leave him home during the day. We're definitely keeping the dog door closed for the next couple or few weeks or until we feel comfortable enough to open it again without the cat running off. 

Also, there are other cats and dogs in our little cottage complex. The dogs don't roam around and are only out of their homes when with the owner. There are a few indoor/outdoor cats though. And some kids who play in the enclosed driveway. So, lots of new surroundings for Gary to take in, but we're trying to introduce him to things slowly and on his own safe terms (e.g.--leaving our front door open with the screen door closed so he check out what's going on).

Probably in a couple of weeks, we'll start walking Gary around the yard with a harness. We just put a collar on him a few minutes ago and it's going to take him a moment to get used to that contraption. Baby (cat) steps. 

I just want to add, IF you are going to let him be an outside/inside cat, make the "quarantene" 3 weeks, to let him know his home.  3 weeks is the time usually mentioned in recommendations.

His wound will heal in at most 3 days, probalby shorter, unless it gets infected.  Succesfull strays have healing meat above average.

Although I agree he will probably be happy to be an indoor cat, with perhaps some going out on balcony or the equivalent.  Especielly as he did got some beating lately.  Him not longer young and strong, beginning to be older and a little slower...

I had two ideas when I saw your yard.  A large outdoor kennel might fit in one corner.  You can cover it with wire and make sure the corners are covered as well - sometimes there are gaps where the corners attach.  You might be able to allow the cat access to it trough his own cat door or a window.

I also thought of the kinds of fencing they have that goes at the top of fences - it is supported on hinged arms and made of netting or wire.  When they cat runs up the fence, he hits the hinged netting, which drops down.  He does not feel secure and can't get over it.

Here's one website:  http://www.purrfectfence.com/?ctt_i...tt_kw=cat proof fence&ctt_ch=ps&ctt_entity=kw

They have a UK site, too.

Norachan used this around her property and seems to have had good success with it.

A really cheap solution is to run chicken wire over the top and attach it to the fence...I think you could do this keeping it totally removable for when you leave.  Depends on how handy you guys are.  Adopting strays and ferals is extremely rewarding, giving them a life they could only dream of.  Best of luck.

Hey folks,

Just checking in to say thank you for all the advice and to provide a quick update re: Gary. 

Things have been going relatively well. He's been a handful at times (and I might make some separate posts about that), but has also adapted fairly quickly to being a (partially) domesticated cat. 

After he'd recuperated from surgery (about 1.5 - 2 weeks after it), he started getting a bit stir crazy. A petite Reign of Terror, complete with scratches that drew blood and left scars, and peeing in our bed whilst we were trying to sleep. 

We took him on a "tour" of the backyard on a kitty harness for a couple of days, and he enjoyed being outdoors again. 

As I mentioned before, part of our concern with turning him into a stray --> indoor/outdoor pet is that we have a dog and a dog door, and our schedules are such that we feel better if the dog door is left open for him. 

It took Gary a while to figure out the door. He discovered how to get out one night, in the middle of the night, and proceeded to get into a small scuffle with the neighbor's cat. After some "training," he's now figured out how to get in and out of the door, and it's seemed to calm him down considerably now that he can get in and out of the house as he pleases...

I've still got a million questions and things for which I could use some advice, but will probably post that stuff separately and also peruse the forums for anything relevant.

Just wanted to give you all and update since you all have been so fantastically helpful!

Great news about Gary.  So happy he's adjusting.  Please post your other concerns/questions.  We're here ready to help if we can...

Great to hear that Gary's settled in so well