Taking in a very timid cat, advice appreciated!

Hello all!

Awhile back I had a post on here about how to try to "get around" adopting a 4 month old cat from a rescue agency, and they didn't let me because we have 9 cats already etc. etc. and the little guy looked just like a mixture of Simon and Sebastian, two wonderful boys that died in the last 2 years. So I got to thinking, "he can't be the only cat around here that resembles them", did a Google search and came up with a cat from a local rescue site that I know a woman there who helped us trap some of ours, and they were doing a "courtesy" post for an owner. To make a long story even more unbearable, I got him, "Sylvester", had him tested for aids and leukemia and he thankfully was negative, but was loaded with fleas and so bitten up that I had them board him, clean him up, take care of him and we'll get him Friday night so we can be home to "oversee" things. The woman has a heart of gold, they see strays and take them in, but don't have the space or money or experience to properly take care of them, he was kept in a small bathroom because one of the other cats was mean and aggressive towards him and attacked him, so I got him out of a bad situation. I went to visit him last night so he gets used to me, and he is a good cat, just very timid and scared, but with proper love and patience and time he'll realize he is in his forever home filled with love, and our cats are not mean or aggressive, we don't allow it ha ha! 

We live in a Cape Cod house, so there really only is a few rooms that we could close the door and keep him separated, but we don't want him in the bedroom he'd hide under the bed and we'd never get him out. What we will do is what we have done with them all when they come in, they stay in a big dog cage in the living room with towels on top and around the back but with plenty of room for them to see him and vice-versa, so they get used to each other but he is still confined. We'll take him out and into the spare room which has all their litter boxes in otherwise we'd keep him in there, play with him, let him move around if he wants to but he seems pretty content just staying put right now, and SLOWLY bring one or two of our more easy going friendly cats in with him to see how he reacts. Down the line I'll take him out, show him where the food is in the kitchen and the litter boxes again and let him free; he'll most likely hide for awhile but that is the best way we can come up with.

The woman that had him said he does get along with other cats except for that one who was mean, and I saw last night that I could pet him, pick him up, do whatever to him without him biting or hissing, so he is very gentle and timid. If you see any thing else that I can do to help ease him into our loving home please feel free to tell me; I want them all to get along with him and I want him to feel comfortable, he deserves a great life after what he has been through. He is between 2 and 3 years old, is neutered as of December, was actually born outside of their house so they have known him all his life. If you want to see him I think his "bio" should still be up on "the Cat Shack Trexlertown, PA." but they had him named "Charlie" so look that up; all our cats names start with "S" so he is now "Sylvester" being black and white, and man he sure reminds me of the two boys Simon (tuxedo) and Sebastian (Chantilly) mixed into one!

And we do have a Feliway plug in going, probably get another one or a spray bottle of it!

Any tips would be appreciated, thanks for reading this LONG post!

Les

Thank you for helping him.

With the cats you already have, you have had plenty of experience introducing newcomers.  Just take your time.  Don't rush anyone and expect a few steps backwards for every one forward.  If you have a large crate, it may help at first by confining him for a few days to the new room. That might help him get comfortable with the new sights, sounds and smells.

One thing I noticed is that, even with a big Cape Cod, you are probably at your limit.  I had to stop at eight - and two of those are outside cats (in a big enclosure complete with all the comforts of home).

Think about the life you are offering the cats and make sure they are all comfortable with their home.

I'm glad you're giving him a good home. Thank you! 

He may just be a timid cat by nature, or it could be a phase that he will grow out of when he feels more "at home". In the meantime (or forever, as the case may be), here are some tips about helping a shy cat feel secure and less stressed - 

 [article="32735"]10 Must Know Tips For Happy Living With A Shy Cat​[/article]  

THANK YOU for the replies and tips! Like you said we have been through this before, but this little guy seems pretty timid but look at what his life has been like so far, especially living with an aggressive cat who always attacked him! I talked to the woman I got him from the other day, and she said that nasty cat went running into the bathroom looking for him, ran upstairs, and when he realized he wasn't there anymore he was happy and rolling around on the floor! Sounds like he either felt he was a threat or he is very territorial although he doesn't fight with the cat that was in the house first! Either way, he is out of there and I think in some way they KNOW that we are helping him...tonight with the "initial" introductions will be the worst, but our guys will get over it as they all have been in that cage! And we have had the cage up most of the week so they get used to it, and it seems like they are hanging around "waiting" for him ha ha!

He is just so special to me, because he is almost exactly a 50-50 blend of the two boys that have passed, plus knowing his life wasn't good makes us want to make sure he has a good one now. And he will....

Thanks!