What to do with this 6month old stray.. I have a love bird and can't keep her.

Hi guys, 

There is this sweet little kitty that I found hanging around my door a few days ago.

I fed her and now she is coming every day for more food.

She is really skinny and is super hungry. Today, she finished a whole can of whiskas and then wanted some more.

I live in an apt complex and really do not know if she belongs to someone else.

If she does, then they don't feed her and don't care much for her being that she is so skinny and eats that much. 

She does not have a collar either. 

I have taken a picture and posted an ad on craigslist to see if someone cares to adopt her. 

The issue is that I can't keep her in my apt because I have a love bird and she seems VERY curious about it. Can't risk it. 

So, she has to remain outside and the majority of pets in here are dogs, which is obviously dangerous for her. Also, people here drive fast and some people are mean and could run her over on purpose. 

What is the fastest way to find her a loving home these days other than craigslist? Don't want to do a shelter if they will end up putting her to sleep. 

Thanks for any input. 

Firstly I'd take her to the vet and ask them to check for a microchip.  If she does belong to someone then that will be recorded.  They can also check to see if she's been spayed.

Then, if she's homeless, could you keep her inside until you find her an owner?  Is it possible to put your lovebird in one room that the cat can't go in?  That gives you time to work out the plan to rehome her and also gets her safely off the streets.

There a lots of people here who come from your part of the world and can recommend where to go from there.

Thank you for caring for this sweet little cat.

Hi, 

The problem is I am leaving in December for about a month and have no one who can take care of the cat. I barely have someone taking care of my bird and can't ask for them to do the cat as well, plus it is not safe. 

I was thinking that if someone went to the extent to microchip her, they for sure would have put at collar on her too. She was probably left here by someone thinking others in the complex would feed her. 

For now, I'll buy her a collar for fleas just for her comfort since she is scratching her neck a lot and feeding her while I am finding a home online with ads. 

Vets here are expensive so suggestions for cheap flea treatments and parasites or other things that would benefit her that I can buy myself at the pet store would help. Thanks!!!

I would advise against a flea collar because they're toxic and can harm cats. You can get inexpensive Frontline or Capstar on ebay or Amazon for about a third of the price you'd get in a vet's office or retail store.

It really sounds as though she's a "dump" or a stray. If she were being cared for properly, she wouldn't be starving and infested with fleas. Is it possible for you to take her in? If someone is caring for the bird, they might not mind caring for the cat. You can purchase an inexpensive self-feeding pet feeder that will store enough food for one cat for a month and a water dispenser at Big Lots or Walmart, and then your caretaker would only have to scoop out litter every day or so.  This cat may starve over the next month, so if you could figure out a way to care for her, you'd be doing something wonderful. If you talked with your neighbors, perhaps some of them could take turns helping out, or at least be willing to feed her in your absence.  

Your other option would be to take the cat to an animal shelter such as the Humane Society with the understanding that if no one adopts her, you'll adopt her when you return to town. They will neuter and vaccinate and provide flea medication for the cat, and since she's a stray, will only charge you a low fee, much lower than at a vet's office--some do everything for 25 dollars. This might be a kinder option than leaving her in her present situation.   

Hi MsAimee, 

Thanks for the advise and tips.