Poison ivy oil and strays

My neighborhood is covered in poison ivy due to birds dropping the seeds after eating the berries.   There is a stray cat that has been living on my block for months now and I would like to adopt the cat and make him an indoor-only cat.  What have others done about potential poison ivy on cats before bringing them into your home--anyone experience poison ivy as a result of taking in a stray?  Please help!

Is this kitty friendly enough to be handled? If so, perhaps someone other than yourself could give him a bath or wipe him down with cat cleanser cloths you can purchase in a pet store to remove any of the poison ivy oils that may be on him.  I'm very allergic to poison ivy, and I take one of my cats out on a harness for walks, and he's encountered poison ivy plants in the grass, and I've not caught anything from him. 

MsAimee, thanks for the info on cat cleaner cloths--I'll check at PetSmart or on-line to see about purchase.   The cat is very friendly, I am allergic to poison ivy and I don't want to bring the allergenic oil into my house since the oils can remain active for two years.  Do cat groomers bathe cats?  Can another cat spread poison ivy from contact with a new cat being brought in with the oils on its coat?      

I think cat groomers do bathe cats who aren't too aggressive. Is there a PetSmart near you? The one near me has pet grooming right inside the store. It would be great if you gave this kitty a home. Most cats are smart enough to not roll around in poison ivy, so if he's had contact, it probably has been minimal. Let me know how it goes.  

VickyNC said:

 
MsAimee, thanks for the info on cat cleaner cloths--I'll check at PetSmart or on-line to see about purchase.   The cat is very friendly, I am allergic to poison ivy and I don't want to bring the allergenic oil into my house since the oils can remain active for two years.  Do cat groomers bathe cats?  Can another cat spread poison ivy from contact with a new cat being brought in with the oils on its coat?      

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Our groomer bathes our cats.  She has a mobile unit and comes to our house to do it.

Our cats sometimes come in smelling of poison oak.  I've never had a reaction to poison oak, but when I smell it on them, I wipe them down with the pet wipes, just to be safe.  

So wonderful that you're considering giving this kitty a home!  

Thanks for the info!

betsygee, what brand of cat wipes do you use?

The brand is "Earthbath".  I get them at Petco:  http://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/earthbath-all-natural-grooming-wipes

@betsygee   Thanks!