Moving and taking a stray with me (??)

Hi everyone,

So I'm moving from Tampa to Pittsburgh and I have a former stray kitty who still lives outside. He has to at this point because my inside kitty can't handle other cats, and I don't have the space in this house to introduce them properly, with Mr. Outside taking residence in a room. I will when we move, but to do that I'd have to move him with us, which I know could be a nightmare. He'd go from being outside to a cage for two days and a hotel room in between (already thinking about getting a suite to keep them separated.) He has, as far as I know, never been inside, litter trained, crated, etc. Once we're there I think it would be ok, amd I could go on with getting him acclimated.

I have tried to find him a home with no luck and he is such an amazing cat I can't leave him here basically abandoned. Am I crazy? Do you guys think I could make this work? Thanks in advance for amy suggestions!

Amy

You're not crazy because in your heart you know it's the right thing to do. Sometimes it happens that a cat who has always lived outside is brought inside & he loves it. I'm hoping this will be the case. As to the litter box, even the tiniest kitten instinctively knows what a litter box is for even if they have never seen one. I'm not saying this will be easy, but I find that if one does the right thing, everything will be ok. I would invest in some Feliway spray. I find this works well in cat carriers, etc. Good luck!

I think you're absolutely doing the right thing by taking him with you! I'm from the Pittsburgh area--welcome!

Yes, it will be a bit of an ordeal for him to make the trip and be in a cage for a few days. But cats are wonderfully resilient, and once he settles into your new home, he'll forget the bothersome journey. The last feral kitten I trapped and took to the vet had quite the ordeal--bashed her nose around while in the trap, and ended up spending 5 days at the vet clinic, where she scratched up the staff every time they put food in her cage. She had a traumatic first few weeks adjusting to all the changes, recovering from the surgery, and learning to live with a human and four other cats. Now, five months later, she's soooo happy and content in her new home. It was definitely worth the ordeal, and I think she thinks so, too! So hang in there. When Pittsburgh winter comes and your two cats are buddies and safe and snug inside your home while the snow falls, you'll be glad you took him with you.  

Has he been to the vet yet, and neutered? Are you going to get that done prior to moving? Have the two cats seen or smelled each other through the windows or door? They may already be familiar with each other--indoor and outdoor cats to get to know each other over time, long before the outdoor cat is brought inside. Their transition together may not be as difficult as you think. In my experience, cats are much happier and have more fulfilled lives living with at least one other cat. They can play together when you're not at home and grow old together and have a special bond.  

You know you're doing the right thing, so be encouraged.

I had two outside cats and six inside cats when we moved.  I was able to keep them all in individual crates until they got used to one another.  I'd let two at a time out ever day and let them explore.  It took about a month before they were all comfortable.

If he is used to going potty outside, you might try adding dirt or dried leave to the top of his litter box.  There is also a product called Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract that works to tell cats "go here!"

Kudos to you for taking him.  It is a wonderful thing you are doing!